Harry Thomas Jr.’s attorney is setting up a legal defense fund to help the embattled Ward 5 D.C. councilman pay attorney fees, The Washington Examiner has confirmed. Thomas has agreed to pay back $300,000 he is accused of stealing in city funds meant for kids, ending a civil lawsuit filed by D.C. Attorney General Irvin Nathan. But he still faces a federal investigation. His legal team has now expanded to include defense attorney Abbe Lowell, who likely comes with a big price tag.
To help Thomas with his growing legal tab, Fred Cooke — the attorney and lobbyist who defended Thomas against Nathan’s lawsuit — is setting up a legal defense fund, lobbyist and former councilman John Ray confirmed to The Examiner.
Cooke did not return calls for comment.
Ray said Cooke “is handling all legal aspects of the fund.” The fund will placed in the hands of a trustee, whose name won’t likely be revealed because Thomas isn’t supposed to know who it is, Ray said.
“The fund must comply with the law,” Ray said.
“I don’t know anything about that,” Thomas told The Examiner when asked about the fund on Monday.
Ray said he will be helping raise money for the fund.
But “there is no part of the D.C. code that will require Thomas to report where this money is coming from,” said D.C. watchdog Dorothy Brizill. “People aren’t going to be donating money to Thomas’ legal defense fund because they like his mama. They’re going to donate money because there’s a quid-pro-quo.”
Thomas already has close ties to Ray.
Earlier this year, Thomas introduced a bill written by Ray that would create a medallion system for the District’s taxis.
Freeman Klopott
