Woman’s actions nearly put company out of business

A West Point woman who spent nearly $25,000 using credit cards in the name of her former employer’s company and a fellow coworker will now spend the next three years in prison.

Lisa Ann Jordan, 37, of 202 Patriots Village Court, received a total of 30 years in prison with 27 suspended during sentencing in Charles City Circuit Court on March 5. She received 10 years on each of two credit card larceny charges and 10 years on a lone charge of credit card theft.

Jordan worked for Servpro, a water damage restoration company with an office in Charles City. According to documents and testimony, Jordan immediately began using the company’s credit card to pay for bills and make other purchases from December 2011 to April 2012. Jordan also established a credit card in the name of coworker Barbara Lucy.

During sentencing, Jordan read from a three-page statement about her misdeeds and apologized to the court.

“Using the credit cards the way I did got the things I wanted,” she said. “The more things I got, the more I felt loved [by her children].”

However, Judge Thomas B. Hoover questioned Jordan’s sincerity and logic during her sentencing.

“I just don’t understand this,” said the disappointed judge. “You did this while working for Servpro. Why didn’t you call your family for help instead of taking from these people?”

“I was ashamed,” responded the defendant. “My pride stood in the way. I didn’t want my family to know.”

Hoover then blasted the defendant over her past history for similar crimes in a neighboring jurisdiction.

“You did the same thing when you were employed by a doctor in Williamsburg,” said Hoover. “You lied about your identity theft criminal history.

“You opened up an account in your co-worker’s name and ruined her credit,” the judge continued. “You’re a terrible person. You haven’t killed anybody with a knife or a gun, but your crimes as a thief are common. You are a con man.”

It appeared that Jordan would receive the one year, 10 months to serve in prison as recommended under the state’s sentencing guidelines found in a pre-sentencing report. Testimony from Servpro owner Nina Butler, however, amplified the real damage done by Jordan’s actions.

“[Jordan] forged fake police documents to obtain employment from us,” said the emotional owner. “The amount of damage she’s done basically put us out of business, as well as our [20] employees out of jobs they looked for us to provide.

“She has cost me and my husband, as well as this company, our credit,” continued Butler. “This company has lost more than $500,000 in revenue based off of her actions alone.”

Hoover stared down the defendant after Butler’s testimony and questioned her again.

“How do you feel now after you have heard what your victims had to say?” asked Hoover.

“They’re right on,” responded Jordan. “I did this. I caused this.”

“You’re a calculating criminal,” Hoover told Jordan. “You did this. You set these people up and because of your actions they will be damaged for a long time.”

Along with serving three years in prison, Jordan must pay restitution in the amount of $24,369.47. Jordan promised to work endlessly to pay off the debt.

“If you pay back $24,000, you’ll be the first in five years I know of,” concluded Hoover.