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 »