Philadelphia's powerful electricians union is blasting the state attorney general's office after a report surfaced Sunday about an supposed investigation into union intimidation.
Frank Keel, spokesman for IBEW Local 98, said in a statement it was "troubling and inappropriate" for the Pennsylvania Attorney General's office to be speaking about an ongoing investigation.
Keel was referencing a story in The Philadelphia Inquirer, which cited anonymous sources, about the expansion of a state grand jury investigation into allegations of the union putting pressure on contractors to use union workers.
The Inquirer said the investigation began as a probe into an alleged fight between IBEW union boss John Dougherty and a nonunion electrician earlier this year. It was later expanded, the report said.
The attorney general's office has not confirmed the investigation's existence or commented on either the Inquirer's report or union's statement.
"Any allegations that the union engaged in threats or intimidation are utter fabrications," Keel said. He added that the union is cooperating with authorities.
The apparent state investigation is separate from a federal probe made public Friday after FBI agents carried out a coordinated raid operation at nine locations across Philadelphia and South Jersey.
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Agents removed documents from the IBEW local headquarters, searched the homes of Dougherty and his family and Councilman Bobby Henon's city hall office.
