‘Angry words’ or a federal crime? Lawyers clash in closing arguments as John Dougherty extortion trial heads to jury

‘Angry words’ or a federal crime? Lawyers clash in closing arguments as John Dougherty extortion trial heads to jury

The defense shot back, describing Dougherty as a man exceedingly devoted to keeping all union members employed and paid them the wages they deserved. Should they convict, their decision could extend the prison time the onetime leader of the state’s most powerful labor union — Local 98 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers — is already facing after previous convictions on bribery and embezzlement charges.

“Ray Palmieri continued to pay Gregory Fiocca,” Costello said, “because he was afraid of what would happen to his company and his employees if he did not.” As for the alleged threats, Pagano noted in his closing argument, only one witness — a Local 98 foreman who spoke to Dougherty shortly after the assault and later conveyed that discussion to Gibson and Palmieri — could ultimately describe what exactly the labor leader said.

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