John Dougherty released from prison after Trump commutes sentence

Right now, former Philadelphia labor leader John Doherty is now a free man, according to his attorney. President Donald Trump has commuted the six-year federal prison sentence of the union boss four years early. Chris, a stunning and sudden development. That's right, Jason. Johnny Dock is, in fact, a free man, according to his attorney. The Philadelphia former labor leader was released from federal custody in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania about 3 o'clock this afternoon. This comes just hours after his sentence was commuted by President Donald Trump. Tonight, Johnny Dock is on his way home to care for his ailing wife. I got a call from the White House, and the folks that are in charge of commutations called me and said, George, we've got great news for you. And they told me, and I was floored, to say the least. Attorney George Paquetto calling the release of union boss John Doherty a compassionate move by President Donald Trump. Ever since going to prison, he's been fighting for Doherty's freedom in order to take care of his sick wife, who has long been suffering from a brain injury. Celia Doherty is in grave health. She needs 24-7 care. Her money has run out. She has no money left for nursing care. Someone has to be by her side or she'll pass. And that somebody is John Doherty. The longtime head of the IBEW Local 98 was convicted in separate federal trials of bribery and embezzlement. He was sentenced to six years in prison. After courts repeatedly rejected requests for early release, President Trump signed the commutation of the longtime Democratic power broker. It's not a pardon. Doherty's convictions remain. His attorney says the commutation does eliminate a million and a half dollars in restitution Doherty still owes. He says he's now a free man. John Doherty was, for many years, the most powerful Democrat in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania politics. And Donald Trump's a Republican. But it shows you how the right thing, the compassionate thing, the humane thing can sometimes rise above politics. Now we reached out to the U.S. Department of Justice about this release, who they are the ones who investigated and prosecuted Johnny Dock. They have no comment on his release. He was set to be released from prison in May of 2029, Jason. But right now he is expected back to his center city condo in the next couple hours.