William Dunbar, a key adviser for Mayor Cherelle Parker’s 2023 campaign, expected to plead guilty to federal tax evasion
The tax charges do not appear to be related to Parker or her campaign.
William F. Dunbar Sr., a Philadelphia lobbyist who was an important unpaid adviser to Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s 2023 campaign, is expected to plead guilty to a tax fraud scheme that lasted six years, according to his lawyer and court documents unsealed Monday.
Dunbar’s lawyer, Brian McMonagle, said Dunbar “accepts full responsibility for his conduct.” Dunbar is expected to appear Monday afternoon in federal court in Philadelphia for a plea hearing.
Dunbar was charged with four counts including tax evasion and filing a false tax return. He was charged by information, which typically signals a defendant intends to plead guilty.
“Today’s plea reflects his commitment to resolving this matter with honesty, accountability, and respect for the judicial process,” McMonagle said. “He has taken decisive steps to satisfy his outstanding tax obligations and has implemented appropriate financial controls and professional oversight to help ensure this does not recur.”
McMonagle added that Dunbar “has dedicated his professional and personal life to serving his community through public service, civic leadership, and charitable engagement.”
A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office declined to comment on the case Monday morning.
Dunbar is alleged to have filed fraudulent income tax returns for himself and his wife from 2020 through 2025, according to the charging documents. Prosecutors say Dunbar inflated his charitable giving and business expenses while dramatically undervaluing his taxable income, a scheme that likely would have lowered the couple’s tax bill.
For example, they said, in the 2024 tax year, Dunbar claimed $1.45 million in total business expenses while indicating he had no taxable income.
Although prosecutors accused Dunbar of inflating expenses associated with his political consulting firm, Dunbar Public Affairs & Associates, there are no accusations in his charging documents that connect his conduct with Parker or others affiliated with her campaign.
Dunbar was a key member of Parker’s “kitchen cabinet” of informal advisers during her 2023 run, in which she bested a crowded field to win the Democratic primary and become the city’s first female mayor. Dunbar also has had ties to other high-profile Democratic politicians, including Gov. Josh Shapiro, U.S. Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey, and members of Philadelphia City Council.
The Inquirer reported earlier this month that federal investigators last summer issued subpoenas for documents and financial records related to Dunbar, according to three sources with direct knowledge of the probe.
One of the sources said the investigation appeared to be a “fairly broad” review of Dunbar.
Parker’s campaign has dramatically increased its spending on legal services since early 2025, around the time the sources said subpoenas were issued, according to campaign finance reports.
The campaign paid its law firm, Dilworth Paxson, about $108,000 since the start of 2025, The Inquirer reported. By comparison, it paid the firm less than $15,000 during the 2023 election year and about $19,000 in 2024.
Parker last week declined to comment on the subpoenas related to Dunbar or on her campaign’s increased legal spending.
Spokespeople for the mayor’s office and for Parker’s campaign declined to comment on the charges against Dunbar on Monday.
Dunbar was never paid for his role in the campaign during the 2023 mayoral election.
In 2024, Parker’s first year in office, Dunbar took over management of the campaign. The campaign paid Dunbar’s firm a series of rent payments totaling $22,850 between March 2024 and November 2024.
Parker let Dunbar go from her campaign in the summer of 2024 in a move that Dunbar said at the time was the mayor’s decision. The campaign is now managed by Aren Platt, who was one of the architects of Parker’s 2023 run and served as chief deputy mayor in her administration before resigning in October 2024.
» READ MORE: Meet the people in Mayor-elect Cherelle Parker’s ‘kitchen cabinet’
Dunbar appears to still be active in politics despite no longer being on Parker’s team. Two weeks ago, he posted on social media a series of behind-the-scenes photos from a filming session at a West Philadelphia barber shop for a Shapiro campaign advertisement, writing: “Where politics meets the people.”
Shapiro’s campaign did not respond to a request for comment Monday.
Dunbar’s lobbying clients include Comcast, the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, and Jackmont Hospitality, an airport concessions company, according to his lobbying registration with the city.
Dunbar previously lobbied for the Philadelphia School District, but a district spokesperson said earlier this month that he stopped working for the district in June.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
Staff writers Abraham Gutman and Ryan W. Briggs contributed to this article.
