The three-term lawmaker, who has presided over his Northeast Philadelphia district since 2012, said after his November conviction that he would hold onto his seat until his sentencing in February.
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By Max Marin, Sean Collins Walsh, and Jeremy Roebuck Philadelphia Inquirer
Philadelphia City Councilmember Bobby Henon tendered his resignation from City Council on Thursday more than two months after a federal jury convicted him on a slew of corruption charges. His resignation is effective immediately.
The three-term Democratic lawmaker, who has presided over his Northeast Philadelphia district since 2012, said after his November conviction that he would hold onto his seat until his sentencing on Feb. 22.
» READ MORE: Bobby Henon has resigned from City Council. What happens next for his Northeast Philly district?
In a statement, Henon said that he submitted his resignation to Council President Darrell L. Clarke early Thursday morning.
“I am grateful to the residents of the 6th District for allowing me to serve as Councilman for the past 10 years,” he said in the statement. “I worked hard each and every day to be an outspoken and bold advocate for the hardworking people.”
A federal jury convicted both Henon and labor leader John J. Dougherty on counts of conspiracy and honest services fraud and Henon of federal program bribery.
» READ MORE: John Dougherty and Bobby Henon found guilty at federal bribery trial, upending city politics and organized labor
The panel found that Henon had sold his Council vote to Dougherty, the former leader of the Local 98 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers where Henon long held a side job outside of City Hall, using the powers of his office to advance the Dougherty’s personal and political interests in exchange for a $70,000-a-year salary. Henon’s highest charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
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