Politically connected electrician charged

John Dougherty's lawyer, Henry E. Hockeimer Jr., declined to comment on Tuesday's indictment. But the labor leader spoke briefly with reporters later Tuesday. He appeared calm and almost unbothered by the investigation.

"Look, I'm very comfortable with all the transactions that have occurred," he said. "The government's got a job to do, they're doing their job."

John Dougherty said that neither he - nor, as far as he knows, the union - was aware of the alleged cash payments. He also said he received no special favor when he bought the house.

"I had appraisals by two separate entities," he said. "It was the highest-paid condo in the area."

Of the ongoing case and his potential involvement in it, Dougherty said, "I'm out in front on a lot of issues, I'm a high-profile person in Philadelphia. I guess when you throw a couple of inside high fastballs you got to take a couple every now and then."

Staff writer Marcia Gelbart contributed to this article.