HOLLIDAYSBURG — A former Altoona city councilman convicted of theft of services in September after failing to pay a bill at a local lodging establishment was sentenced Wednesday to six months probation and ordered to pay $131 in restitution.

Senior Judge Richard Lewis of Dauphin County, who presided over the Blair County jury trial of Christie B. Jordan, 47, of Hollidaysburg, also fined her $200 and ordered her to complete 40 hours of community service.

Jordan, who completed his six years on the Altoona City Council in December 2022, testified on his own behalf at the hearing about arrangements he made to have the bill paid on his behalf. He said in court Wednesday that he still intends to see the bill paid to the Allegheny Street Bed and Breakfast for his overnight stay on Jan. 11.

Outside court, Jordan acknowledged his interest in appealing his conviction, an option that defense attorney Tyler Rowles said he would discuss with Jordan. During the hearing, Rowles took the view that Jordan’s actions did not meet the definition of criminal activity.

At sentencing, Lewis sided with Deputy District Attorney Derek Elensky, who told the jury that Jordan’s numerous excuses for not paying his outstanding lodging bill at trial met the definition of theft of services.

Before imposing the sentence, Lewis cited trial testimony about efforts by bed and breakfast owners Richard and Jyoti Latker to assist Jordan in making connections that he said would result in his bill being paid. They also accepted two ID cards from Jordan upon departure and stated that a payment would be made soon.

“I believe the Latkers did everything they could to resolve this issue before they picked up the phone and called the police,” Lewis said. “I’m sorry, but this was a theft.”

Elensky asked Lewis to consider a probationary sentence consistent with the state’s standard sentencing guidelines.

“We do not expect a heavy penalty here,” Elensky said. “We’re just looking for him to pay for the bed and breakfast.”

Latker recommended community service as part of the sentence based on resources (three district court hearings and a jury trial) to address what Latker called “a petty larceny.”

Rowles also asked Lewis to consider a sentence of probation for the second-degree misdemeanor.

After six months of probation, Lewis told Jordan that it would be possible to terminate probation after three months if he had paid restitution, fines and court costs and completed community service hours.

“Otherwise it will take six months,” the judge said.

The county probation and parole office will oversee his parole.

Mirror Staff Writer Kay

Stephens at 814-946-7456.