Black politician pleads guilty to theft

Former D.C. Council member African-American Harry Thomas Jr. has pleaded guilty in federal court to felony counts of stealing more than $350,000 in city funds and failing to report income on his tax returns. Thomas, who resigned his position after prosecutors officially charged him with the crimes, faces between 37 and 46 months in prison when he is sentenced on May 3, 2012 according to federal sentencing guidelines. Under the federal system, he must serve all of his term with the possibility of a modest reduction for good behavior. Thomas‘ wife and his mother sat in the second row of U.S. District Judge John D. Bates‘ packed courtroom. “Guilty as charged, your honor,” Thomas told the judge when asked for his plea. Prosecutors filed documents in U.S. District Court for the District accusing Thomas of stealing $353,000 from youth baseball programs from April 2007 to February 2009 and failing to report a total of $346,000 in additional income on three successive tax returns. It was the first time a sitting council member has been charged with a felony. Federal officials used colorful charts to describe how Thomas funneled public funds through three organizations to fund a lavish lifestyle that included $19,000 for travel, $7,000 for clothes, $5,000 for meals, $23,745 for a Victory motorcycle and $58,575 toward an Audi sport utility vehicle. Federal agents seized the motorcycle and a Chevy Tahoe, which Thomas acquired when he traded in the Audi, during a raid on his Northeast home on Dec. 2, 2011. Thomas will be required to pay back the money he stole from the District as part of the settlement of a civil lawsuit in June 2011 that was brought by D.C. Attorney General Irvin B. Nathan. That lawsuit claimed Thomas used his position to take the funds earmarked for youth sports through the Children and Youth Investment Trust Corporation to purchase the luxury vehicle and pay for trips or other personal expenses.