Philadelphia resident Gregory Fiocca, age 32, found himself on the receiving end of a two-year probation sentence after demanding payments he hadn't earned, a move that has landed him in the sights of federal authorities monitoring union corruption. The sentence was handed down by Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl, marking an end to a case that has cast a shadow over Local 98, as per details from the U.S. Attorney's Office.
August 19, 2020, was not a banner day for Fiocca, having received a paycheck reflecting less than the full-time hours he expected, it was then he accosted the project manager from Local 98, and his response was not measured but aggressive and loaded with physicality. He slapped, choked, and spat on the project manager, which contributed to his current predicament. U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero highlighted the incident saying, "Fiocca, as the nephew of then-Local 98 Business Manager John Dougherty, abused his power and influence and resorted to violence to unlawfully claim wages he did not rightfully earn." She emphasized the importance of maintaining lawful conduct among union members, steering clear of intimidation tactics.
According to statements from the case proceedings, Fiocca had pleaded guilty to the charges against him by September 2024, bringing his misconduct to an official and legal acknowledgment. The FBI and Assistant United States Attorneys Jason Grenell and Frank Costello worked together to investigate and prosecute this case, indicating a federal determination to challenge corruption in Philadelphia's unions.
Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Philadelphia, in his assessment of the situation, took note of the abuse of Fiocca's union position, stressing that The FBI remains committed to supporting the integrity of Philadelphia, working hand in hand with the U.S. Attorney's Office to ensure community members are not compromised by threats or corruption.
