Federal agents conducted raids earlier this month across Philadelphia and New Jersey, pulling truckloads of documents and computers, all linked to an influential labor union, IBEW Local 98, and its leader known by the moniker Johnny Doc.
According to an NBC 10 report, the FBI confirmed by mid-morning that the searches and subsequent seizures of enough boxes to fill an actual rental truck were part of an "ongoing investigation," apparently into the Philadelphia local for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Dougherty paced outside his home as agents searched inside, NBC 10 observed.
It was also reported that across the river in New Jersey, federal agents raided MJK Electrical in Berlin and the Mt. Laurel home of Brian Burrows, president of Local 98. They were reportedly looking for tax records. Several firearms and ammunition were seized during the search at MJK Electical unrelated to the FBI search. The person connected to the weapons was taken into custody. It's not clear why, NBC 10 reported.
In February, a non-union electrician claimed that he was assaulted by a Philadelphia union leader and others during a street fight. Joshua Keesee told police he was working at a job in South Philadelphia that was being picketed by John Dougherty’s IBEW Local 98.