Democrat power couple set to get $750,000 bonus by using controversial 'retirement' loophole that was at center of major scandal

By RACHEL BOWMAN, US SENIOR NEWS REPORTER Published: 17:59, 25 June 2026 | Updated: 18:28, 25 June 2026 A Philadelphia political power couple plans to take home an extra $750,000 using a controversial retirement loophole. City Councilmember Curtis Jones Jr and City Representative Jazelle Jones, who are married, are cashing in on their Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP) accounts without actually retiring. DROP was first enacted in the 1990s to encourage high-earning city employees to retire early. However, it ended up burdening the city budget, and in 2010, the city council voted to prevent future employees from using it. Curtis, 68, can access DROP because he was 'grandfathered' into the policy, having first taken office in 2008. The city councilmember, who earns $165,000 annually, told The Philadelphia Inquirer he plans to retire next year and cash out $350,000 from his DROP account, while running for reelection. If reelected, Curtis would retire in December 2027, then be sworn in for another four years in office in January 2028 and continue earning his salary. He told the outlet he has glaucoma, an eye disease that causes vision loss, and he wants to have access to the money 'so that if I was blind, I wouldn’t have been without resources.' Philadelphia City Councilmember Curtis Jones Jr and City Representative Jazelle Jones, who are married, are cashing out on a retirement loophole Curtis, 68, plans to cash out $350,000 from his retirement account while running for reelection 'Over the years, I’ve had four surgeries on my eyes. I’ve actually lost 40 percent of my vision,' Curtis said. His wife, 70-year-old Jazelle, works for Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker as an ambassador for the city and planning special events. However, she retired for one day in September 2025 to receive a $320,000 DROP payout and $97,000 for unused sick and vacation time, an exception the mayor granted. According to the Inquirer, Jazelle was supposed to retire in September 2024, but Parker allowed her to work for an extra year to increase her retirement account. Then, the Philadelphia Administrative Board, which oversees personnel matters and is led by Parker, allowed her to return to work after she retired. The next day after she retired, Parker rehired Jazelle and gave her a raise, bringing her annual salary to $199,000. However, the newspaper found that the board did not approve the paperwork that allowed Jazelle to continue working for one year, then briefly retire, and be rehired until March 2026. Parker defended her decision to bring back Jazelle, telling the Inquirer, 'The essential nature of her role is why I asked.'  Jazelle, 70, retired for one day in September 2025 and received a $320,000 retirement payout, plus $97,000 for unused sick and vacation time, then was rehired the next day Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker (pictured next to actor Will Smith) granted Jazelle (far left) an exception to retire and receive her payout, then be rehired 'And I’m unapologetic about asking. It’s one of the most important decisions I’ve made as mayor,' she said. Lauren Cristella, president of the government watchdog group Committee of Seventy, condemned the decision. 'Rehiring an employee to the same position the day after she collects a DROP payout defeats the purpose of the program,' Cristella told the newspaper. 'DROP exists to manage workforce transitions, not to serve as a bonus for employees with no intention of actually leaving.' The Daily Mail contacted the Joneses and the mayor's office for comment.  No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.