Willie Jordan, a 68-year-old resident of Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to one year in prison for committing wire fraud against both a religious and a political organization. The sentence was handed down by United States District Judge Harvey Bartle III. In addition to the prison term, Jordan received one year of supervised release and was ordered to pay $142,991 in restitution as well as forfeit the same amount.
Jordan pleaded guilty in July to two counts of wire fraud. According to court documents and statements made during the proceedings, he served as a deacon and trustee at Religious Organization #1 in Philadelphia. He managed financial matters for the organization, including collecting and depositing funds and paying expenses. Despite not receiving a salary from the religious organization—his income came from his role as Director of Operations for a state senator with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania—Jordan had nearly complete control over its finances.
Between January 2020 and January 2024, Jordan issued approximately 82 fraudulent checks to himself from Religious Organization #1’s account, totaling about $57,384. These checks were falsely described as reimbursements for organizational expenses that he did not actually incur. This activity occurred without the knowledge or permission of other trustees or members.
Jordan also led Political Organization #1—one of Philadelphia’s 66 wards and part of Political Organization #2—from 1996 until April 2025. During this time, particularly between January 2020 and January 2024, he opened two bank accounts under Political Organization #1’s name, naming himself as sole signatory and controlling debit cards linked to these accounts.
He regularly used these accounts for personal transactions through debit card purchases, checks, and ATM withdrawals. Jordan spent funds on items such as airline tickets, car dealerships, furniture stores, groceries, personal credit card bills, utility bills, cellular phone bills, and paid over $12,500 toward a family member’s funeral in summer 2023—all without approval or benefit to Political Organization #1 or its members. The total loss to Political Organization #1 amounted to at least $85,607.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. Assistant United States Attorney Louis D. Lappen and Special Assistant United States Attorney James E. Price prosecuted the case.
United States Attorney David Metcalf stated: “Willie Jordan violated the trust placed in him by both his church community and political colleagues when he repeatedly stole funds intended for public service purposes.” Metcalf continued: “This office will continue to hold accountable those who abuse positions of trust within our community.”
