John "Johnny Doc" Dougherty's prison sentence commuted by President Trump, lawyer says

Key Points:

• Former Philadelphia labor leader John "Johnny Doc" Dougherty received an early release from prison after President Trump signed a commutation to end his six-year sentence early, according to Dougherty's attorney George Bochetto.
• Dougherty was convicted in 2023 of bribery and embezzlement related to Local 98 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, including using a city councilmember to advance union projects; he was sentenced to six years in prison in July 2024.
• The commutation was reportedly granted so Dougherty could care for his gravely ill wife, Cecilia Dougherty, whose private nursing funds have run out, prompting urgent compassionate grounds for his release.
• Dougherty's attorney praised President Trump for rising above partisan politics to grant the commutation, despite Dougherty's long-standing role as a Democratic political figure in Pennsylvania.
• Prosecutors had opposed Dougherty’s early release, arguing he had not served enough of his sentence, and as of Thursday night, official confirmation of the commutation from the Office of the Pardon Attorney was still pending.