Philadelphia Sheriff Bilal's office sat on $20 million owed from property auctions
In a Sept. 30, 2026 court hearing, Philadelphia Sheriff's Office deputy undersheriff Steven Wakefield testified that an internal audit, so far covering only August 2025 onward, found about $20 million in sheriff-sale proceeds that had never been paid out, much of it owed to the city for property taxes and water bills. The money was then sent to the city. Buyers had reported waiting more than a year for deeds. In August, Common Pleas Judge Paula Patrick approved six months of outside supervision of sheriff sales; Sheriff Rochelle Bilal's office later backed out, arguing the court lacked authority. At an Oct. 29 contempt hearing, Bilal's lawyer conceded there may be grounds for contempt and said he had no witness who could say where every dollar went. Bilal opposes a forensic audit. Patrick said she would rule shortly.
A lot of that was money that was supposed to go to the city.
I don't have a witness who can sit on the stand and tell you where every dollar went,
The former director did not inform the sheriff of the backlog,
Blamed underfunding, poor managers and outdated technology; said "We are in compliance."
Says proceeds are now distributed and deeds issued within weeks of settlement.
No outcome recorded yet.