Powerful labor leader and political donor John Dougherty was indicted today, along with City Councilman Bobby Henon and six others, on 116 counts for allegedly conspiring to funnel union money into a personal “slush fund” for Dougherty.

Dougherty, widely know by the nickname “Johnny Doc,” has led the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 98 for more than 25 years. From that perch he has been a major political force in Philadelphia and throughout Pennsylvania, providing huge amounts of funding for countless political and judicial offices. His organization also provided significant amounts of funding for the campaigns of several Democratic candidates now sitting on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, including that of his brother Justice Kevin Dougherty.

The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania announced the lengthy indictment Wednesday morning. The allegations included using union money for personal items, like dinners, baby supplies and dog food; exchanging contracts for favors, such as installing large-screen TVs and a security system for his home; and using Henon to pressure political rivals and advance union business.

McSwain was recused from the investigation to avoid any potential conflicts stemming from his work at Drinker Biddle & Reath.

The conduct outlined in the indictment spans 2010 to 2016, and prosecutors allege Dougherty and his co-conspirators cost IBEW union members $600,000.

When asked during a press conference announcing the charges whether any of the conduct stemmed from the political support IBEW gave to Justice Kevin Dougherty's Supreme Court run in 2015, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams said, “I cannot comment on things beyond the four corners of the indictment, there are various individuals referenced throughout the indictment, and not named, I'm not permitted to identify who those individuals might be or might not be.”

Justice Dougherty's chambers referred a call for comment to the spokeswoman for the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts, who did not immediately provide comment.

READ THE INDICTMENT:

IBEW and the Committee for a Better Tomorrow, a PAC funded by trial lawyers, were two of the largest donors in the 2015 Supreme Court race. With campaign committees for Justice Dougherty and Justice David Wecht raising more than $2 million each, the race set records for political donations. According to The Legal's archives, Kevin Dougherty's campaign committee got 26 percent of his campaign funds, or nearly $1.17 million, from IBEW-related donors.

John Dougherty is being represented by Henry “Hank” Hockeimer of Ballard Spahr, and Henon is being represented by Brian McMonagle of the Law Offices of McMonagle Perri McHugh Mischak and Davis. The defendants are expected to be formally arraigned Friday.

Hockeimer and McMonagle both did not return a call seeking comment.

The others who were indicted are Brian Burrows, a business partner with Dougherty and president of the Local 98; Michael Neill, training director for the union's apprentice training fund; Dougherty's nephew, Brian Fiocca; Local 98 employee, Niko Rodriguez; construction company owner Anthony Massa, and Marita Crawford, who has been Local 98's political director since 2011.

The 153-page indictment outlines layers of alleged conspiracies that largely boil down to stealing money, goods and services from Local 98. Part of the conspiracy entails using union credit cards and bank accounts to buy goods for themselves—from frozen pizza to Taylor Swift concert tickets—and then falsely claims the purchases were union-related. Another part of the indictment stems from allegations that members of Local 98's apprentice training program performed work on properties owned by Dougherty and others, including family members who were not named in the indictment, and then to again falsely claim the expenses were union related.

The indictment also alleges that Dougherty directed union members to hire family members and close associates, and that on numerous occasions Henon, acting at Dougherty's behest, acted to advance the union leader's interests, including allegedly delaying legislation and drafting a resolution proposing to investigate a company that had towed Dougherty's car.

Several attorneys for the named defendants promised to fight the charges.

Burrows's attorney Thomas Bergstrom of Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney said that since the FBI raided Dougherty's home and Local 98 facilities more than two years ago, the indictment was not unexpected. He added that he expects his client will take the case to trial.

“From what I've read and what I'm familiar with, I suspect we're going to be trying this case,” Bergstrom said.

In an emailed statement, Fortunato “Fred” Perri of McMonagle Perri, who is representing Crawford, denied the allegations and said he was confident Crawford would be exonerated.

“Marita Crawford has been a dedicated and tireless employee of Local 98 and she is a well respected member of the political community both in Philadelphia and across the state,” Perri said. “Ms. Crawford has always engaged in legitimate union business to advance the interests of the members of Local 98.”

Lisa Mathewson, who is representing Neill, said in an emailed statement that under Neill's leadership the Local 98's training program became a national model.

“Michael invests his heart and soul into the success of Local 98's members every day,” she said. “He did not steal from them, and he looks forward to clearing his name in court.”

Rodriguez's attorney Paul Hetznecker said he intends to “fight the charges vigorously.”

“Unfortunately, the government has characterized my client's conduct as criminal, but a closer examination of the evidence will show my client is not criminally liable,” he said.

Brennan, who is representing Massa, offered a similar statement.

“I've reviewed the indictment and it appears Mr. Massa worked eight hours, he billed for eight hours, and he paid taxes for eight hours,” he said. “I'm still reviewing it to see where Mr. Massa committed a crime.”