President Donald Trump granted a commutation to former Philadelphia labor union leader John Dougherty, reducing his six-year prison sentence on September 3, as reported by Dougherty’s attorney, George Bochetto.
Bochetto explained that the commutation allows Dougherty to care for his ailing wife, Cecilia. “President Trump has signed a commutation so that Johnny Doc can be released from prison to take care of his gravely ill wife,” he told CBS News Philadelphia.
Cecilia is in urgent need of assistance, according to Bochetto, as her funds for private nursing have run out. “She desperately needs John by her side, and that’s why now,” he added.
Prior to this, Dougherty’s request for commutation had been denied in July 2026, as noted by the Justice Department’s Office of the Pardon Attorney.
Bochetto also expressed appreciation for Trump’s decision, noting the significance of a Republican president providing such compassion to someone like Dougherty, who was a notable Democratic figure in Philadelphia politics. “It says a lot about the man,” he remarked.
Dougherty had been the business manager for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98 and was found guilty in 2023 of embezzling over $600,000 from the union, as reported by CBS News Philadelphia. Additionally, he had been convicted of conspiracy to commit honest services fraud and several counts of honest services wire fraud during a federal corruption trial in 2021.
He reportedly exchanged various benefits, including Eagles tickets and union salaries, with former City Council member Bobby Henon for influence in local politics. His current sentencing reflects these charges.
Although Bochetto had yet to discuss the commutation with Dougherty as of Thursday night, he mentioned that Cecilia was pleased to hear her husband would return home, according to NBC 10 Philadelphia.
There is a possibility that Dougherty could be released as early as Thursday night or Friday. He has served two years of his six-year sentence so far.
