PHILADELPHIA—Two members of the Ironworkers Local 401, James Walsh and Greg Sullivan, pleaded guilty today in United States District Court before the Honorable Michael Baylson.

James Walsh, 49, of Philadelphia, PA, pleaded guilty to RICO conspiracy, two counts of maliciously damaging property by means of fire, conspiracy to maliciously damage property by means of fire, two counts of use of fire to commit a felony, and attempted maliciously damaging property by means of fire. Walsh participated in a series of incidents on behalf of the Ironworkers Local 401 as part of the plan by the defendants to force non-union contractors to hire union labor. Specifically, Walsh admitted that he participated in the Quaker Meetinghouse arson, an arson on Grays Avenue in Philadelphia, and an attempted arson in Malvern as well as other episodes – all in retaliation for the contractors failure to hire union ironworkers. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 12, 2015. Walsh faces a total statutory maximum sentence of 110 years in prison, with a 15 year mandatory term, up to three years of supervised release, a fine of up to $1.5 million, and a $600 special assessment.

Greg Sullivan, 49, of Philadelphia, PA, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to maliciously damage property by means of fire, and Hobbs Act Extortion. Sullivan participated in the Grays Avenue arson and the attempted arson in Malvern. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 20, 2015. Sullivan faces a total maximum statutory sentence of 40 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, a fine of up to $500,000, and a $200 special assessment.

The case was investigated jointly by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Department of Labor Office of Inspector General, with assistance provided by the Philadelphia Police Department Corruption Task Force, East Whiteland Township Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Employee Benefit Security Administration. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert Livermore with legal assistance provided by Gerald Toner, Acting Deputy Chief for Labor-Management Racketeering, Organized Crime and Gang Section at the Department of Justice.