“We have to move on.”
A version of that phrase was repeated like a mantra last week by many political and civic leaders. They had been in denial but were forced to finally accept this truth: Harry Thomas Jr. is a thief; he stole more than $350,000 earmarked for disadvantaged District youth. The Ward 5 legislator used that money to finance a lavish lifestyle, according to U.S. Attorney Ronald Machen Jr. and other federal officials.
Anyone with a smidgen of common sense knew Thomas was guilty. In June 2011, D.C. Attorney General Irvin Nathan had filed a civil lawsuit asserting Thomas had diverted more than $300,000 of public money for his personal use. Those findings were the result of an investigation started in 2010 by then-AG Peter Nickles following allegations by Ward 5 resident and Republican council candidate Tim Day that Thomas had an illegal “slush fund.” Thomas subsequently settled with Nathan, agreeing to repay the money.
Only three council members — David Catania, Mary Cheh and Tommy Wells — recognizing the stunning breach of public trust, urged Thomas to resign. Last week, there was a run on calls for him to step down: Mayor Vincent C. Gray, Council Chairman Kwame R. Brown, and members Phil Mendelson and Muriel Bowser demanded such action. Their eleventh-hour appeals, made as federal charges against Thomas were imminent, underscored the previous timidity of these elected officials.
What most folks didn’t know was that Thomas had begun his criminal activity almost immediately after taking office in 2007, according to Machen.
Thomas never intended to represent Ward 5 residents. His goal was to pimp them.
That mission was aided by two nonprofit organizations. Machen didn’t identify them; he said the investigation remains “ongoing.”
It should be.
The leaders of those groups misused their federal exemptions. They deserve jail cells in the same block as the former councilman.
Last week, Bowser sent a letter to D.C. Auditor Yolanda Branche and D.C. Inspector General Charles Willoughby renewing her request for an audit of the DC Children and Youth Investment Trust Corp. That’s the quasi-independent government agency that provided grants to those nonprofit organizations, which, according to Machen, then kicked back money to Thomas.
As I first reported in December, some of those nonprofit funds also went to help finance the 51st State Inaugural Ball sponsored by the D.C. Young Democrats, a political action committee. At the time, a law enforcement source told me Thomas would go to jail; Thomas had helped plan the January 2009 event. Further, the council on which Thomas sat until last week had oversight of the CYITC. Thomas, therefore, could — and did — influence CYITC’s operations.
Machen made no mention last week of businesses that had provided previously unreported contributions to Thomas; Nathan discovered more than $80,000 had been solicited and collected. Some of those businesses had or currently have government contracts. Was there any quid pro quo?
Despite the calls to move on, it’s far too soon for that. There’s an entrenched pimping culture in the District that must be destroyed.
Jonetta Rose Barras’ column appears on Monday and Wednesday. She can be reached at [email protected].
