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The long-awaited bribery trial of City Councilmember Bobby Henon and labor leader John Dougherty kicks off Monday. 

Jury selection begins at 9:30am in the federal courthouse on Market Street.

State of play: Both Henon and Dougherty have pleaded not guilty to bribery and fraud charges. The pair was indicted in January 2019.

Federal prosecutors are accusing Dougherty, a business manager for Local 98 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), of giving Henon a no-show union job with an annual salary of more than $70,000.

They also allege he showered Henon with a "stream of personal benefits" exceeding $10,000. 

Henon, a three-term Democrat, is accused of essentially selling his office to Dougherty, according to federal officials.

Between the lines: Dougherty has led the IBEW since 1993 and has amassed significant political power by financially backing city and statewide candidates for decades. 

He heads the Philadelphia Building & Construction Trades Council, which represents more than 50 unions in the city.

What's ahead: A second federal trial stemming from the indictment, involving Dougherty and a handful of union members, has yet to be scheduled. 

Philadelphia councilmember and labor leader's bribery trial begins

Federal prosecutors are accusing Henon of essentially selling his office to Dougherty.

Philadelphia City Councilmember Bobby Henon speaks into a microphone.

Philadelphia City Councilmember Bobby Henon in 2017. Photo: Bastiaan Slabbers/NurPhoto via Getty Images

<p>The long-awaited bribery trial of City Councilmember Bobby Henon and labor leader John Dougherty kicks off Monday. </p><ul><li>Jury selection begins at 9:30am in the federal courthouse on Market Street.</li></ul>

2024 will be an election year like no other, as President Biden seeks re-election amid economic uncertainty, two wars and questions about his age. His likely foe, former President Trump, faces felony charges and vows revenge on his political enemies. Meanwhile, Americans generally are dissatisfied with those choices and are divided over immigration, race, education and more.

Philadelphia councilmember and labor leader's bribery trial begins

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