Former D.C. Councilman Harry Thomas Jr. seemed resigned and genuinely remorseful as he spoke during his sentencing hearing in federal court Thursday. Speaking for a little more than five minutes, Thomas expressed his regret for what he’d put his family and community through.
“I broke the law,” he said of the $353,500 in city grant money he took for his personal use.
“I humiliated my wife, I humiliated and let down my mother,” he said. “I let down my late father, whose shadow I have followed all my life.”
The Thomas family in D.C.’s Ward 5 has been a staple for decades, beginning with Thomas’ father who served on council for 12 years until his death in 1999. Thomas’ mother Romaine, an educator, has also been a figurehead of the community since Harry was a young boy. Romaine also spoke for her son at Thursday’s sentencing hearing in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
Thomas won his father’s seat in 2006 and served five years on the council until he stepped down in January as part of his plea deal.
“My father would say … stand up, be a man and take responsibility for your actions,” Thomas said. “I humiliated my wife and children — they endured what no family should have to endure because of me. Most importantly, [my actions] harmed the children of the District of Columbia, which I love.”
Thomas apologized again to all those he’d hurt and told the judge he’d found solace these past few months in his spirituality and religion. He admitted that he felt entitled to the kickbacks after so many years of public service in the community.
“My actions have cost me a lifetime of work,” he said.
Thomas was sentenced to three years and two months in federal prison. He was allowed to leave with his family and is expected to remand himself when summoned by the federal bureau of prisons.
