Immunity sought for Dougherty

Labor leader John J. Dougherty will assert his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination unless he is given immunity so he can testify as a defense witness in the trial of a South Philadelphia contractor, according to court papers filed yesterday. Defense attorneys Eric W. Sitarchuk and Nathan J.

Andrisani asked U.S. District Judge Eduardo C. Robreno to give Dougherty that immunity, which would mean anything the union boss says on the witness stand could not be used against him if he is eventually charged in the case. The defense lawyers represent Donald "Gus" Dougherty Jr., 42, president of Dougherty Electric Inc. in South Philadelphia. Gus Dougherty is a childhood friend of John Dougherty, business manager of Local 98 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. They are not related. John Dougherty is under federal investigation for potential labor and tax violations, sources have said. He has denied any wrongdoing and ...