https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice...be-n964731

Quote:A sweeping federal corruption investigation in Philadelphia ensnared top city officials and one of its most powerful union bosses, accusing them of carrying out a boatload of schemes that included blocking the city's renowned children's hospital from installing new MRI machines.

The indictment charged union boss John "Doc" Dougherty with more than 100 counts, and implicated city councilman Robert "Bobby" Henon, several other officials from Dougherty's union and the owner of a local construction company.

Quote:Dougherty and his seven cronies are accused of embezzling more than $600,000 dollars in union funds to sponsor family members' trips, to further his personal and political interests and maintain his bar. They allegedly spent thousands of dollars at the nicest steakhouse at the Borgata Hotel in Atlantic City, N.J., according to the indictment.

The alleged schemes included coercing and threatening Philadelphia's children's hospital and NBCUniversal's parent company Comcast, in an effort to obtain contracts for Dougherty's union.

Quote:Henon, the city councilman, also held a paid position with the union, the indictment says. The indictment alleges that in exchange for a salary and items of value from Dougherty, Henon used his political position to serve Dougherty's interests. In one notable case, the two men allegedly conspired to shut down the installation of an MRI machine at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia to pressure it into using union labor, according to the indictment.

When Dougherty found out about the use of non-union labor to install the new machines, he threatened to orchestrate a city inspection violation and possible project shutdown if his union wasn't given the opportunity to bid on it, the indictment says. The hospital had to use the MRI manufacturer's electricians or the warranty would be void, according to the indictment.

Hendon, in his role as a councilman, had authority over the city's License and Inspection department, the indictment says.

Sure enough, the government says, Henon complained to the L&I department, at Dougherty's suggestion. A stop work order was placed on the installation of the MRI machine. Henon made a second complaint to L&I about a different MRI machine, and the department then refused to issue a certificate of occupancy for it.

Quote:Other schemes detailed in the indictment include threatening the Teamsters union over its opposition of Philadelphia's soda tax, delaying legislation to upset the Plumbers Union and submitting false statements to the Philadelphia Inquirer to conceal Henon and Dougherty's relationship.

First of all, let's wait for evidence/proof.

Second of all: No one cares if they shook down Comcast or the Teamsters for a few $$$ and only a few will care about the Atlantic City deal. But if they really "conspired to shut down the installation of an MRI machine at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia to pressure it into using union labor" then the courts and the public will be out for blood.

Democrats don't care. Republicans and Independents do. Chicago, Atlanta, Philadelphia. That's what big government is for-to enrich politicians and their friends and family