Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Thomas O’Donnell, the Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General (“HHS-OIG”), announced the unsealing of a criminal Complaint against STEVEN JORDAN, a/k/a “Stevie Jordan,” a/k/a “Stevie J,” a cast member on a reality television show, for failing to pay over $1 million in child support obligations with respect to two children. JORDAN was arrested last night at his residence in Atlanta and is expected to be presented today in federal court in the Northern District of Georgia.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said: “As alleged, Steven Jordan failed to pay over $1 million in child support even while earning substantial income from his participation in a reality television show. By choosing to use the money for himself, rather than to pay his child support obligations, Jordan not only violated court orders, but committed a federal crime for which he will now be held responsible.”
HHS-OIG Special Agent-in-Charge Thomas O’Donnell said: “When individuals conduct themselves the way Steven Jordan is alleged to have done, it is an insult to those parents who struggle each day to fulfill their financial responsibilities to their children. The investigation of such offenses will continue by this office not only to hold accountable those parents who refuse to pay child support obligations, but to deter parents who may consider dodging their obligations in the future.”
According to the allegations contained in the Complaint unsealed today in Manhattan federal court:

Beginning in or about 1999, pursuant to an order of the New York County Family Court, STEVEN JORDAN was required to pay a minimum of $6,608 per month in child support for his two children. JORDAN’s child support obligation was increased in 2011 to a total of $8,557 per month. JORDAN has failed to pay over $1,107,412 in child support.

During the period in which JORDAN failed to satisfy his child support obligations, JORDAN was generating substantial income. Beginning in or about October 2012, for example, JORDAN became employed as a cast member on a reality television show for which he was paid approximately $27,000 per month. From January 2013 through August 2013, JORDAN received at least $193,000 for his work on the reality television show. Yet, during that same period, JORDAN did not make a single voluntary child support payment, and had a total of just $18,566 garnished and applied towards his child support obligations. From 2003 through 2013, JORDAN also received approximately $105,000 in royalties from a company that pays royalties to musicians.

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JORDAN, 40, of Atlanta, Georgia, is charged with one count of failing to pay child support, which carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as any sentencing of the defendant would be determined by the judge.

Mr. Bharara praised the work of HHS-OIG for their assistance in the investigation.

This case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Unit and Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew DeFilippis is in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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