News Report

John J. Dougherty, electricians' union leader, city Democratic treasurer, Philadelphia mayoral hopeful, has opened a new front in the political wars that have enveloped him in recent months. But where Dougherty's other recent battles have been behind-the-scenes struggles with fellow Democratic power brokers, the latest engagement comes in the form of a lawsuit pitting his International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 98 against ABC affiliate WPVI-TV (Channel 6). In a suit filed yesterday in Common Pleas Court, the union claims it was defamed by a WPVI news report that said federal investigators were pressuring convicted City Councilman Rick Mariano to provide potential information for a probe of Dougherty's relationship with a local electrical contractor.

An excerpt from the "Commonwealth Confidential" blog in some editions Wednesday misstated the job description of J.P. Miranda when he worked under Mayor Nutter in the Philly Counts initiative. He was an outreach coordinator. A story Wednesday mischaracterized the expected attendance at a U.S. Conference of Mayors event in Philadelphia from May 22 to 24. The organization expects more than 100 participants, including 30 mayors. A headline Wednesday wrongly named the group that organized a national conference in Philadelphia on the impact of violence this week.

The White House last night announced that Alan D. Lewis, the U.S. marshal in Philadelphia who has come under fire in recent months for alleged wrongdoings in office, has been dismissed by President Bush. "Yesterday [Thursday], the President decided to act upon the recommendation of Attorney General [John] Ashcroft and the Department of Justice inspector general to remove Mr. Lewis," White House spokesman Scott Stanzel said in a telephone interview last night. Lewis could not be reached for comment - a call to his government cell phone was answered by a marshal who said that all of the equipment issued to Lewis had been recalled.

The Inquirer wants its news report to be fair and correct in every respect, and regrets when it is not. If you have a question or comment about news coverage, contact assistant managing editor David Sullivan (215-854-2357) at The Inquirer, Box 8263, Philadelphia 19101, or e-mail dsullivan@phillynews.com .