“This is a city of haves and have-nots. Let’s be honest,” Ward 5 D.C. Councilman Harry Thomas Jr. said during last week’s lengthy and contentious debate over whether to increase from 8.5 percent to 8.95 percent the tax rate on annual incomes of $350,000 or more. Thomas had no concern for the have-nots and made no appeal for honesty when he allegedly engaged in an unvarnished kickback scheme. According to the city’s attorney general, Thomas pocketed $300,000 in tax revenue earmarked for disadvantaged youth. He currently is the target of a criminal investigation.
That a politician who diverted public money for his personal enrichment could turn around and vote to increase the taxes of people he stole from is absolutely stunning. The salt in that wound: By his own admission, Thomas did not pay taxes on those stolen funds or monies he illegally solicited through his defunct nonprofit organization.
