John Dougherty resigns trade manager for IBEW Local 98 following corruption conviction – CBS Philly

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – John Dougherty’s reign at the top of IBEW Local 98 is now over. The longtime union leader announced on Tuesday that he had resigned his post as trade manager for IBEW Local 98 after being convicted in his long-lasting bribery and corruption trial. six weeks.

Dougherty was convicted of a count of conspiracy to commit fraud against honest services and seven counts of wire fraud against honest services on Monday.

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“I have made the difficult but necessary decision to step down as commercial director to protect the integrity of this union which has been my life’s work and passion,” Dougherty said in a statement. “Although I am resigning, Local 98 is in an incredibly strong position, financially and otherwise. In the most recent LM-2 case of 98, we were considered the most successful IBEW local chapter in the country in terms of assets versus liabilities. We are among the most respected locals in all of the IBEW and our members enjoy the highest salaries and best benefits in the country. With Mark Lynch, Zach Gniewoz, Assistant Commercial Manager for 98 North and the best team of sales reps we’ve ever had to run day-to-day operations, Local 98 is in good hands.

Dougherty was first elected Commercial Director of Local 98 in 1993. Under his leadership, the union has grown into one of the most powerful political forces in the state.

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Mark Lynch, 35, a member of IBEW Local 98 for 15 years, will assume the role of Interim Commercial Director following Dougherty’s departure. The board of directors unanimously elected him to the post after Dougherty’s conviction on Monday night.

Dougherty will be sentenced in February, but it’s unclear how long he could potentially serve.

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Dougherty still faces a second lawsuit for embezzlement of over $ 600,000 from Local 98 and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.