Former mayor, husband sentenced

Former Richardson Mayor Laura Jordan, and the land developer she married after a federal investigation began, have been sentenced for public corruption convictions in the Eastern District of Texas, U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston announced this past week. Jordan was sentenced to 72 months in federal prison. Husband Mark Jordan was also sentenced to 72 months in federal prison.

Jordan, also known as Laura Maczka, 57, and Mark Jordan, 55, were convicted by a jury on July 24, 2021, of bribery concerning a program receiving federal funds, conspiracy to commit bribery concerning a program receiving federal funds, tax fraud, and conspiracy to commit tax fraud.

“Citizens should be able to trust that their elected representatives honestly conduct themselves in a manner that solely benefits the community,” Featherston said. “When the greed of personal gain and benefit results from official actions taken on the pretense of altruistic motives, then the integrity of the whole process is corrupted.”

According to information presented in court, from May 2013 through April 2015, Maczka was the mayor of Richardson, and now-husband Jordan was a land developer. Maczka, contrary to her campaign promises, supported and repeatedly voted for controversial zoning changes sought by Jordan, ultimately allowing for the construction of over 1,000 new apartments in Richardson near other Richardson neighborhoods. In exchange, Jordan paid Maczka over $18,000 in cash, an additional $40,000 by check, and paid for over $24,000 in renovations to Maczka’s home.  Jordan also paid for luxury hotel stays and airfare upgrades for Maczka and provided Maczka lucrative employment at one of Jordan’s companies.  According to court testimony, Maczka and Jordan failed to disclose to the public that they had coordinated to affect the zoning changes Jordan wanted and that Jordan had provided a stream of benefits to Maczka.