John “Johnny Doc” Dougherty, a former Philadelphia labor leader, has been granted an early release from prison. This decision came after former President Trump agreed to commute his six-year sentence. George Bochetto, Dougherty’s attorney, confirmed the commutation to CBS News Philadelphia.
Dougherty was convicted in 2023 for bribing a city council member and embezzling approximately $600,000 from Local 98 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). His first conviction for bribery and fraud took place in November 2021. These charges involved using former Councilmember Bobby Henon to promote IBEW Local 98 projects. Dougherty was sentenced in July 2024 and had four years remaining on his sentence.
As of Thursday night, the Office of the Pardon Attorney website had not updated the commutation approval, and earlier records showed Trump had denied the request in July. However, Bochetto stated, “President Trump has signed a commutation so that Johnny Doc can be released from prison to take care of his gravely ill wife, Cecilia Dougherty.” Dougherty’s wife is reportedly in urgent need of care due to her financial inability to continue paying for private nursing.
Dougherty is expected to be released from a federal penitentiary in Lewisburg by Friday morning. Bochetto mentioned, “We’re going to have a crew there to receive John and bring him to his wife.” He received a call from the White House on Thursday afternoon, confirming the commutation.
Dougherty led IBEW Local 98 for nearly 30 years and was a significant figure in Pennsylvania’s Democratic political scene. Bochetto expressed gratitude, saying, “We are all just so grateful to President Trump, who really has risen above politics. John Dougherty is an icon of Democratic politics in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania. Donald Trump is a Republican.” He emphasized Trump’s decision to set aside partisan politics, highlighting the compassion and need presented by Dougherty’s case.
Prosecutors opposed the early release, arguing Dougherty had not served enough of his sentence. CBS News Philadelphia has reached out to the White House for additional confirmation and is awaiting a response.