The facade of the federal courthouse in Philadelphia. Read more Tyger Williams / Staff Photographer

by Chris Palmer Published July 30, 2025, 1:51 p.m. ET

A former West Philadelphia ward leader and staffer for State Sen. Vincent Hughes has been charged with stealing more than $140,000 over four years from the ward he used to lead and a church where he served as a deacon, federal authorities said Wednesday.

Willie Jordan was charged with two counts of wire fraud. He was charged by information, which typically means a defendant plans to plead guilty.

Prosecutors said in court documents that Jordan, while serving as an unpaid leader of both the 44th Ward and a religious organization they did not name, routinely wrote checks to himself, often claiming the money was to reimburse e

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