Ironworker Who Admits Torching Construction Sites Returns To The Stand In Trial of Joseph Dougherty
By Steve Tawa
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- A union ironworker who admits to torching construction sites where non-union work was being done returns to the witness stand today in the federal racketeering trial of former Ironworkers' leader Joseph Dougherty.
Ironworker James Walsh admits to using terms like 'shadow gangs,' 'sabotaging jobs,' and 'night work' - code for raising mayhem in the dark of night at non-union construction sites.
Another union ironworker, William Gillen testified the FBI and police somehow received advance word of one of their missions to destroy property, equipment and morale at a non-union job in Malvern, and told Dougherty "there's a rat in the nest, and the phones are hot.'
By then, Assistant US Attorney Rob Livermore says the feds had secured court approved wiretaps of phones to eavesdrop on conversations between Dougherty and others.
Both face mandatory-minimum 15-year prison terms, but could see their sentences reduced, at the discretion of the judge, at the completion of their testimony.
Defense lawyer Fortunato Perri Jr. says there's no evidence Dougherty ordered criminal acts. He points a finger of blame at business agents within Local 401, jockeying for power at the Union Hall.