A former ironworkers boss described by prosecutors as "the don" of a violent organization goes on trial on racketeering charges Monday in Philadelphia.
A sweeping indictment accuses Ironworkers Local 401 members of strong-arm tactics against nonunion contractors and rival unions.
But longtime business manager Joseph Dougherty is the only person going to trial after nearly a dozen guilty pleas.
Prosecutors said Dougherty made $200,000 a year overseeing jobs for the union's approximately 1,000 members.
A trial memo filed Friday said the union violence intensified as the 2008 recession took hold.
Several union members have admitted they took part in the 2012 arson of a Quaker meeting house being built by nonunion workers.
Dougherty's defense lawyer, Fortunato Perri Jr., isn't commenting before the scheduled two-week trial.
Ironworkers ‘Don' Goes on Trial in Racketeering Case
Copyright AP - Associated Press
