PHILADELPHIA — A Pennsylvania man who held leadership roles in both a religious organization and a political ward pleaded guilty Thursday to wire fraud in a pair of schemes that siphoned more than $143,000 for personal use, federal prosecutors announced.
Willie Jordan, 68, of Upper Darby, entered the plea before U.S. District Judge Harvey Bartle III. Jordan was charged in an information unsealed the same day, detailing fraud schemes that ran from 2020 to 2024.
Jordan served as a deacon and trustee at a Philadelphia church, referred to in court as Religious Organization #1. In that position, he was entrusted with collecting and managing church funds. Though unpaid by the church, he held a salaried position as Director of Operations for a Pennsylvania state senator.
According to prosecutors, Jordan issued 82 fraudulent checks to himself totaling $57,384, falsely claiming they were reimbursements for church-related expenses. In reality, the funds were used for his personal benefit and without the knowledge or permission of church trustees or members.
In a separate scheme, Jordan used his position as the longtime elected leader of Political Organization #1—a subdivision of a Philadelphia political party—to misappropriate $85,607. He created two bank accounts in the organization’s name and made himself the sole signatory, prosecutors said.
Jordan used the political group’s funds for personal expenses including airline tickets, car purchases, furniture, groceries, and utility bills. In summer 2023, he spent over $12,500 from the group’s accounts to cover a family member’s funeral.
Neither organization was aware of or approved Jordan’s use of the funds, prosecutors noted.
Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.