Former D.C. Councilman Harry Thomas Jr. was sentenced to more than three years in prison Thursday for stealing $353,500 in public money meant for youth sports, an act that prosecutors described as a betrayal of the public trust.
Thomas, who represented Ward 5 for five years until he resigned in January as part of his guilty plea, was allowed to leave court with his family and has agreed to surrender at a federal prison to serve his 38-month term when ordered.
"This is my weakest moment in my life," Thomas, 51, told U.S. District Court Judge John Bates, adding that he has had time to reflect on his crimes after a lifetime of working with local kids through sports programs.
"I concluded I took that money because there was a sense of entitlement," he said. "What happened, clearly, was I took office and lost touch with the values I cling to now more than ever."
As part of the exhibits filed by the U.S. Attorney's Office in today's sentencing of Harry Thomas Jr., we learn a little bit more about where the disgraced former Ward 5 councilmember spent more than $350,000 of public money he stole. For instance, when Thomas bought a $22,499 Victory motorcyle, he also spent more than $700 bucks on motorcycle apparel from a store in White Plains, Md. Those purchases include:
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Former Councilman Harry Thomas Jr. gets 3-plus years in prison | Washington Examiner
Harry Thomas Jr. Spent $89 of Your Taxes on Leather Chaps - Loose Lips
Thomas, who represented Ward 5 for five years until he resigned in January as part of his guilty plea, was allowed to leave court with his family and has agreed to surrender at a federal prison to serve his 38-month term when ordered.
"This is my weakest moment in my life," Thomas, 51, told U.S. District Court Judge John Bates, adding that he has had time to reflect on his crimes after a lifetime of working with local kids through sports programs.
"I concluded I took that money because there was a sense of entitlement," he said. "What happened, clearly, was I took office and lost touch with the values I cling to now more than ever."
As part of the exhibits filed by the U.S. Attorney's Office in today's sentencing of Harry Thomas Jr., we learn a little bit more about where the disgraced former Ward 5 councilmember spent more than $350,000 of public money he stole. For instance, when Thomas bought a $22,499 Victory motorcyle, he also spent more than $700 bucks on motorcycle apparel from a store in White Plains, Md. Those purchases include:
- A leather shirt: $149.99
- Chaps: $89.99 (LL called the store and confirmed that the chaps were, indeed, made of leather)
- Novelty "Eagle" hat: $39.95
- "Boss" leather jacket: $359.99
more
Former Councilman Harry Thomas Jr. gets 3-plus years in prison | Washington Examiner
Harry Thomas Jr. Spent $89 of Your Taxes on Leather Chaps - Loose Lips