Gregory Fiocca, a 32-year-old Philadelphia resident, has been sentenced to two years of probation for unlawfully demanding money from a union employer for hours he did not work. The sentencing was announced by United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero and delivered by United States District Court Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl.
The incident occurred on August 19, 2020, when Fiocca received a paycheck reflecting less than 40 hours of work after a week of minimal attendance. In response, Fiocca confronted and assaulted a Local 98 member who served as the project manager. During the altercation, Fiocca slapped, choked, and threw the project manager across a desk. He also spat on him and threatened further violence if his attendance continued to be monitored. Following this confrontation, Fiocca unlawfully demanded payment for unworked hours.
Fiocca was charged by superseding information and entered a guilty plea in September 2024.
"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," stated U.S. Attorney Romero. "That force and intimidation is detrimental to the integrity of hardworking and law-abiding members of Local 98, and such actions cannot be tolerated as business as usual."
Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Philadelphia added: "Gregory Fiocca exploited his position within the union and resorted to violence in an unlawful attempt to claim wages he did not rightfully earn." He emphasized that "the FBI remains committed to working alongside the U.S. Attorney's Office to root out corruption and uphold the integrity of our city for the citizens we serve."
The investigation was conducted by the FBI with prosecution led by Assistant United States Attorney Jason Grenell along with former Assistant United States Attorney Frank Costello.