D.C. Councilman Harry Thomas Jr. resigns, will plead guilty

Embattled D.C. Councilman Harry Thomas Jr. resigned Thursday night, and said he would plead guilty to charges of stealing $365,000 from federal grants meant for youth baseball programs at a court hearing Friday. Thomas, who represents Ward 5, faces up to 13 years in prison if convicted on counts of tax fraud and theft brought against him by federal prosecutors.

“I made some very serious mistakes and exhibited inadequate and flawed judgment,” Thomas said in a statement released Thursday night. After admitting he committed “two federal crimes,” Thomas said he would enter the guilty plea when he appears before U.S. District Judge John D. Bates on Friday.