A Philadelphia contractor pleaded guilty yesterday to a plan to spare labor leader John J. Dougherty the full cost of extensive renovations to Dougherty’s home.

But the plea by Donald J. “Gus” Dougherty Jr., a longtime friend of John Dougherty’s who is not related to him, does not mean he will cooperate in the federal probe of the union chief. Indeed, the narrowly framed plea means he might not even surface again as prosecutors pursue the investigation.

After the contractor pleaded guilty, a spokesman for John Dougherty said the union official knew nothing of Gus Dougherty’s intent to give him a discount.

“This was Gus’ plan and Gus’ plan alone,” said Frank Keel, spokesman for the powerful business manager of Local 98 of the electricians union.  read more »

After a week of indecision whether to run for the state House or the Senate, attorney Lawrence M. Farnese Jr. is going for the bigger prize, the Senate seat now held by Vince Fumo.

A source close to the campaign said last night that Farnese will drop his run against state Rep. Babette Josephs and join the campaign against Fumo and two other challengers for the Democratic nomination – electricians union leader John Dougherty and anti-casino activist Anne Dicker.

The primary election is April 22. The unopposed Republican candidate is Jack Morley.  read more »