FBI searches headquarters of labor union in Philly

PHILADELPHIA » Federal agents have searched two sites connected to a Philadelphia-based union, apparently as part of an ongoing investigation of an indicted powerful labor boss.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that the FBI served search warrants Friday at the headquarters of Local 98 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and its apprentice training building on the same block.

Agents remained on scene for several hours, though it wasn’t immediately clear what they were searching for. An attorney for Local 98 leader John Dougherty said union officials were still gathering information on the nature of the warrants.

A similar FBI raid four years ago led to the indictment last year of Dougherty, Philadelphia City Councilman Bobby Henon and six other Local 98 officials and members on bribery and embezzlement charges.

Federal prosecutors have accused Dougherty of bribing Henon for years with a union salary in order to buy his influence and council vote on matters of interest to the union. Dougherty, Henon and the other defendants have maintained their innocence.