Ex-Philadelphia city councilman Bobby Henon must serve years behind bars after being convicted of federal public corruption-related crimes more than a year ago.
A federal judge sentenced Henon to 3.5 years in prison in front of a packed courtroom Wednesday. The prison term is to be served at a facility as close to Philadelphia as possible.
Besides the prison term, which Henon must report for by April 17, the disgraced councilman must also forfeit more than $207,000, pay a $50,000 fine and perform 100 hours of community service.
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Henon, a Democrat representing Northeast Philadelphia who was first elected in 2011, was convicted in November 2021 in a federal trial that also brought down powerful labor leader John "Johnny Doc" Dougherty, the former leader of the IBEW Local 98 electricians’ union.
Dougherty was found to have bribed Henon for access to power and decision-making in City Hall while Henon received a salary and other things of value from Dougherty, the U.S. Attorney's office said. Dougherty was found guilty of eight counts while Henon was found guilty of 10.
He will serve all the counts concurrently and will be subject to three years of supervision upon his release.
Politics
Henon faced as much as 20 years in prison on the most serious offenses. However, NBC10 newsgathering partner KYW Newsradio reported federal prosecutors would seek a term of eight to nine years instead.
In January 2022, Henon submitted his resignation to Philadelphia City Council President Darrell. Henon had previously vowed to keep his seat until his sentencing. He had already resigned as chair of four city council committees soon after his conviction in 2021.
Dougherty faces another two trials before he is sentenced, KYW Newsradio reported.
