Brian Burrows, the former president of Philadelphia's Local 98 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, has been sentenced to a four-year prison term for embezzling more than $600,000 from the union's funds. According to FOX 29, Burrows, 64, from Mount Laurel, New Jersey, was also directed on Wednesday in federal court in Reading to forfeit almost $136,000 and to pay an undetermined amount in restitution.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that during the sentencing, Burrows defended his stewardship of the union funds, maintaining that he worked to increase pension benefits, health care, and profit-sharing for members. "That wasn't by luck," Burrows was quoted as saying, emphasizing his daily focus was not on scrutinizing "what was on John Dougherty's expense reports."

Assistant U.S. Attorney Bea Witzleben pointedly highlighted the lack of an apology from Burrows and critiqued his justification. She reflected on his assertions that savings he facilitated for union electricians somehow offset his misdeeds, intentionally pointing out to the court, "It was OK to steal from them." The judge presiding over the case, U.S. District Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl, also lambasted Burrows not solely for his actions but for his omission to act against corruption, as Burrows "clearly ignored the warning signs by auditors and other union officials," as per The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Alongside Burrows, John "Johnny Doc" Dougherty was also convicted of similar crimes as the union's longtime business manager. Burrows is alleged to have embezzled funds for personal use, ranging from home renovations to activities as mundane as purchasing a cookie tray for a relative's christening. Dougherty's conviction also extended into political corruption, as he was found guilty of keeping a city council member, Bobby Henon, on the payroll in an ultimately successful attempt to control construction jobs. Henon is currently serving a three-and-a-half-year prison term, as detailed by FOX 29.