D.C. Attorney General Irvin Nathan has sued Ward 5 Councilman Harry Thomas alleging Thomas directed to his personal use more than $300,000 in city funds meant to support youth baseball in the District. The lawsuit filed Monday in D.C. Superior Court asks Thomas to pay the cash back and requests damages totalling more than $1 million. It alleges that Thomas spent the cash on an Audi and trips to Las Vegas and Pebble Beach, among other items.
Nathan has also asked the U.S. Attorney’s Office to investigate.
“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is aware of the referral and will review the information provided by the Office of the Attorney General as we continue our investigation into this matter,” a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s said in a statement. He could not immediately say when the office started its investigation.
The dollars were part of a $4 million earmark in 2007 from the D.C. Council to the D.C. Children and Youth Investment Trust Corporation. All but $400,000 of the $4 million were designated for specific groups. The last $400,000, though, was simply for a “youth baseball.”
According to the lawsuit:
Thomas negotiated with the trust corporation to have the $400,000 sent to Langston 21st Century Foundation, a nonprofit setup to renovate the Langston Golf Course. From there, the bulk of the cash was split between a nonprofit group and a for-profit company, both run by Thomas. He then used the cash to buy an Audi and travel to Las Vegas and Pebble Beach, among other items.
“I am extremely disappointed in this violation of public service by Mr. Thomas,” Nathan said. “We will pursue this matter vigorously.”
Thomas did not immediately comment on the suit, but called a 3 p.m. news conference.
