Where The Team Thomas Money Went
What do a $143.71 tab at Hooters, an $84.74 bill at Bed Bath & Beyond, and a $350 payment to a Maryland-based animal trapper have in common?
They’re all charges made during a one-week span in October 2009 on the debit card belonging to Team Thomas, the nonprofit then run by Ward 5 Councilmember Harry Thomas Jr. that was supposed to help introduce the District’s youth to golf, baseball, softball, and tennis.
And they’re also expenses that you, if you’re a District taxpayer, might have helped pay for, says Attorney General Irv Nathan.
It’s not just a tasteless restaurant tab, household items, and pest control services from Bowie that seemingly have nothing to do with youth sports and may have been purchased on the public’s dime. Bank records obtained by LL through a Freedom of Information Act request show dozens of unusual expenses on Team Thomas’ debit card from 2007 to 2009, including about $7,500 at golf courses around the country, more than $10,000 worth of golf equipment, and around $5,000 on hotels.
The records show that Team Thomas paid for regular expenses, including phone bills, a $362.33 satellite TV charge, and a subscription to Sports Illustrated. The bank records show charges to Best Buy, Home Depot, and local grocery stores, too.
By now we all know that Thomas, first elected in 2006, is being sued by Nathan for alleged misappropriation of city funds. Nathan says Thomas secretly took a $400,000 earmark for “youth baseball” and spent it mostly on himself, including the purchase of a $69,149.60 Audi SUV. Nathan says some of the earmark money went to Thomas’ for-profit company, HLT Development, and some went to Team Thomas. (The complaint says Team Thomas paid $1,074.40 toward the Audi. HLT Development paid $58,575.20, and Thomas got $9,000 for a trade-in on his Dodge Durango.)
Nathan’s lawsuit, which was filed last month, also says Team Thomas collected about $80,000 from corporate donors with promises of using the money to teach kids about swing sports. But Thomas used much of that money on himself, Nathan says. Team Thomas’ address is Thomas’ home address, and Nathan says the councilmember controlled the nonprofit’s finances, including the debit card used for the spending chronicled here.
Team Thomas was dissolved last year, but Thomas has said its mission of exposing urban youth to swing sports was his “life’s work.” In a fundraising letter to corporate donors, Thomas said Team Thomas’ goal was not just about sports, but to “reach our inner city population and broaden their horizons.” Some of the spending listed in the bank records certainly could have been used for those legitimate purposes, but it’s tough to know without more detailed records or help from Thomas, who declined to comment for this article.
The attorney general’s office offers a brief sampling of how Thomas allegedly misspent Team Thomas’ funds. The complaint lists only 14 items—including $1,073 spent at Pebble Beach Golf Course and $1,185 spent at another golf course in Las Vegas—that Nathan says had nothing to do with promoting youth sports to inner-city youth. But these 14 items, bank records show, are just the tip of the iceberg.
For instance, there’s the $170 Team Thomas charged at a perfume store the day after Christmas (known as “Boxing Day” to LL’s Canadian readers) in 2008. Or the $25.95 spent at Flagship Car Wash. Or the $75 bill at a 7-Eleven on New Year’s Eve. Or the $39.09 bill at Hunan Treasures. Or the $204 cash withdrawal at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas.
Then there’s the golf. Thomas is a big fan of the game and told LL last year that he tries to squeeze in nine holes most mornings. His enthusiasm shows in the bank records, which indicate that Team Thomas’ funds paid for multiple rounds in Florida, South Carolina, Las Vegas, California, and elsewhere.
On Nov. 26, 2007, shortly after Team Thomas held the first of two fundraisers with corporate donors, bank records show it spent $124.99 at a par-3 golf course and driving range in Myrtle Beach, S.C. A few weeks later, Team Thomas purchased a round in Little Rock, Ark., bank records show.
On Jan. 22, 2008, Team Thomas spent $179.14 at the well-known Sawgrass golf course in Jacksonville, Fla. A month later, the organization was racking up expenses in Florida again, this time at two courses, one near Cape Canaveral and one in Orlando. (It was around this time, according to the attorney general’s complaint, that Team Thomas began getting some of the earmarked money.)
In June 2008, the nonprofit spent $204.75 at Old Hickory Golf Club in Woodbridge and $132.03 at East Potomac Golf Course, bank records show. In February 2009, the money trail leads back to Orlando, where Team Thomas spent nearly $100 in one day at a local course.
In mid-April 2009, Team Thomas spent $314.82 at Sawgrass. Two weeks later, the organization was spending money on the other side of the country, in the San Francisco Bay area. It paid $1,072.99 at Pebble Beach, then later that week, spent $108.65 at a course in Oakland and $96.80 at Stonebrae Country Club, in nearby Hayward—on the same day.
The Team Thomas debit card covered much of the travel costs on these trips. In Myrtle Beach, there was a $278.56 tab at Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville restaurant. In Little Rock, records show a nearly $600 bill at the Peabody Hotel and a $160.27 bill at a steakhouse. LL counts nearly $1,000 spent at Florida hotels while Team Thomas paid for golf outings.
In a news conference last fall, Thomas said he regularly traveled on Team Thomas-related business, such as attending conferences related to youth sports. LL could only find record of one such conference in the debit card records, a $41.29 charge in February 2008 for the Cocoa Expo Sports Center in Cocoa, Fla. Thomas also used Team Thomas funds to pay costs associated with attending a shopping center conference in Las Vegas, one that’s regularly attended by District pols.
Bank records also show Team Thomas spent more than $10,000 on golf equipment, with many of the purchases clocking in at several hundred dollars at stores like the Washington Golf Center in Arlington, Golf Etc., and Adidas’ online golf shop. Buying sports equipment seems like a reasonable expense for a nonprofit that promotes youth sports. But Team Thomas also spent $102.10 at a golf store in Myrtle Beach, and bought a $180 “total game management system” on June 4, 2009, that uses GPS and provides “aerial course mapping” on players’ smart phones.
The nonprofit spent more than $16,000 on equipment for other sports besides golf, records show. Much of the money went to Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Stripe 3, a sporting goods store in College Park. Manager Felix Kim says the Stripe 3 purchases—like kids’ shoes and uniforms—were in keeping with Team Thomas’ mission: “They always seemed like legitimate purchases to me.”
But bank records also show a number of large purchases from an equipment supplier for football, a sport that’s never been on any Team Thomas promotional materials that LL’s seen.
Of course, it would be nice if Thomas would shed some light on these expenses. But he’s been short on details about Team Thomas’ finances since last fall, when his Republican opponent in the general election first started asking questions.
Instead, Thomas has made blanket statements that Team Thomas’ finances have been above board and has asked for patience while his attorney, Fred Cooke Jr., prepares his legal defense. Asked about specific charges in Team Thomas’ bank records, Thomas says he can’t speak while his case is in court. Cooke says he has nothing to say “whatsoever” about the charges. Nathan has said Thomas declined to explain Team Thomas’ finances before the lawsuit was filed.
That silence, though it might be standard etiquette on the golf course, is deafening. If Thomas had a simple and straightforward explanation for how his for-profit and nonprofit acquired and spent money, he surely would have given it by now. If there’s an easy answer for the Hooters bill, the satellite TV, the perfume store, and the many, many golf-related charges, why not give it?
Keeping quiet hasn’t helped Thomas any. Shortly after defiantly proclaiming that he would not step down as chairman of the D.C. Council’s coveted economic development committee, Thomas did just that, once his colleagues made clear they planned to force him out. He’s got no pull; his political power has dried up.
Meanwhile, the rest of the city waits—for Nathan’s lawsuit to move forward, to see who D.C. Council Chairman Kwame “Fully Loaded” Brown picks as Thomas’ replacement for the economic development committee, and to see if the U.S. Attorney’s Office, which launched its own investigation of Thomas, will bring criminal charges. The city is also waiting on Thomas—waiting for him to explain himself.
Photo by Darrow Montgomery; illustrations by Brooke Hatfield
Got a tip for LL? Send suggestions to lips@washingtoncitypaper.com.
6:21 pm
SOB
6:40 pm
This ruined my day. This behavior is not what the residents of Ward 5 saw in Harry Thomas, and its certainly not worthy of them.
7:35 pm
Yeah, I'd say he's done. Nice little scam you had working there, Harry Jr. Hope you enjoy your time in prison.
8:07 pm
He should pay the tax payers back, resign, apologize, and move on. Jail is a little harsh after his years of sincere public service to Ward 5 and the City. Gray should distance himself from Thomas despite their friendship and family connections. Also, Gray should distance himself from Alexander and Kwame Brown. Brown and Alexander should also resign. Michael Brown may also need to evaluate if he is in the service of others or private interests.
8:16 pm
Wow. Thomas is done. Resignation would be the honorable thing to do. But, like Leslie Johnson, Thomas can't afford to not be on the government payroll since he's gotten used to a lifestyle he needs subsidized by taxpayers.
8:34 pm
Alan "David Duke" Suderman ruining another black politician through his "freedom of lynch-formation" act. We get it. He used the money to do some ill advised things. But, your infatuation with delving into black businessman and politicians dirty laundry is concerning.
Are black politicians the only ones to receive money from lobbyists? Jack Evans, Mary Cheh, Catania?? Are they the only ones to mix business with pleasure? Catania, Graham???
I know it is a little easier to demonize black politicians and businessman but your style of journalism is biased and targets minorities unfairly. Hell the only person to be convicted with an actual crime (so far) worked in Jim Graham's office and our local "responsible" media bought his little excuse (it was toxic and I ran away) story without question.
Let's be real here. You have a problem. Lobbyist and corruption have existed before blacks were even able to obtain political office. So, why don't you do us all a favor and focus on the big fish.
Hell you give Thompson a hard time for donating to members of our government. Have you ever heard of a man named George Sorros? No? That's right because he's not a black man. So your interest in tearing him to shreds on little minute details is non-existent.
You are not clever, your journalism is snarky, and your attempts to be witty lack the depth.
You hold members of our local government who are "ethic" to a higher standard than everyone else. Ever think twice about Catania's "two-jobs", Jack Evans' donor base, Jim Graham's everything, and Mary Cheh's questionable abuse of power to score political points and bid on behalf of her donor base? No. You are too busy hiding behind your computer spewing subvert racial bias.
9:03 pm
Thomas was trying to catch rats at hooters. To keep the kids safe.
9:13 pm
Jonathan Waggoner has made an excellent point!
9:22 pm
Dude is a one man lynch mob. His reporting is racially biased if not irresponsible at the least. The KKK has nothing on Alan Suderman.
9:26 pm
Didn't Suderman write about Graham just a couple weeks ago?
9:34 pm
Also, which dc politicians is george soros giving to?
9:35 pm
Yes, but without going deeply into it. And he only reported on Graham after all of the other scandals broke out. By then Graham was old news.
Hear anything about the conflict of interest in Catania's two jobs? Cheh and Evans' connections and how they might influence their legislation? No.
The Graham story was a white wash to not appear like a racist. That ish was last year's news. And they did a horrible job on it then and they did a horrible job on it again when they brought it back up to cover their racial profiling.
9:37 pm
George Sorros can walk into the White house,and put his feet up on Obama's desk.
A whole story about Thompson giving money to politicians was not warranted. Has anyone researched Clark Construction's political donations? You know...the people who are rebuilding EVERY freaking building in DC???
No? I wonder why...#whiteprivledge
9:49 pm
@jonathonw is full of it! There is no lynch mob and harry thomas is as crooked as a question mark. Instead of defending crooks and chasing windmills, why dont you tr promoting blacks who are doing the right thing and stay out of the bed of crooks
9:54 pm
George Sorros can walk into the White house,and put his feet up on Obama's desk.
A whole story about Thompson giving money to politicians was not warranted. Has anyone researched Clark Construction's political donations? You know...the people who are rebuilding EVERY freaking building in DC???
No? I wonder why...#whiteprivledge
10:07 pm
@Tom (Sheerwood) -I know Thomas is crooked. I'm not defending him. All I am saying is spread the love around. There are other crooks of other races in city council. The local media only has a taste for one type of blood. Everyone knows it. Tap anyone on the shoulder who lives in a black part of town (who know 60% of the people the local media supposedly represents) and ask them how they feel about the media's handle of local politics.
Instead of addressing the issue you tell us to sit down and shut up. Not only is the media insensitive to the black people in this city. They fail to address our concerns -instead you'd rather call us crazy.
#it'sokwe'vebeendealingwithyourtypefor400plusyearsnowIcansetmywatchtoyouractsofculturalinsensitivity
10:36 pm
waggoner is harrys brother or momma. or could be one of his creditors
10:42 pm
actually i think harry thomas is the scum of the earth who should resign
10:43 pm
@Tom (Sheerwood) -I know Thomas is crooked. I'm not defending him. All I am saying is spread the love around. There are other crooks of other races in city council. The local media only has a taste for one type of blood. Everyone knows it. Tap anyone on the shoulder who lives in a black part of town (you know 60% of the people the local media supposedly represents) and ask them how they feel about the media's handle of local politics.
Instead of addressing the issue you tell us to sit down and shut up. Not only is the media insensitive to the black people in this city. They fail to address our concerns -instead you'd rather call us crazy.
10:49 pm
@Jon: 50%, or assuming census trend continued the last year 48-49%
10:54 pm
Same thing. And these complaints were made before the shift in demographic. Some could say they are related. Blacks in DC have been complaining for years about "our" local media and their "habits".
10:57 pm
@Jon Waggoner - Are you saying that the charges against Thomas are bogus or that LL should also investigate other members of the Council? I haven't seen anything to support the former. As for the latter, I am all for holding reporters' feet the fire, and if they can write stories re the other members of the Council, they should do so; however, I don't see any problem with LL STARTING with the guy who recently had a civil complaint filed against him by the DC AG's office. That seems reasonable to me.
Do you have something concrete to offer re the outside employment of Catania and Evans? I am uncomfortable that these lawyers can keep their firms' clients confidential, but I want to see evidence regarding their conflicts of interest. Is there any? You can dig as well as LL can. We all can. Our collective failure thus far to uncover specifics re other councilmembers does not excuse the alleged improprieties by CM Thomas, nor does it require LL to go light on CM Thomas. As far as I am concerned, LL should continue his reporting on CM Thomas and then turn to the other councilmembers -- and the proposed ethics rules that might reign in their shady practices.
And what the hell does George Soros have to do with any of this? Is he even involved in DC politics?
11:00 pm
Soros was a reference to the Thompson contribution story. Who cares. Businessmen have been making political contributions since the beginning of time.
11:02 pm
I am not saying the Thomas story is bogus. I'm just saying LL is a little more prone to go "the extra mile" when certain council members are under fire. It doesn't take a brain surgeon to see where Evans and Catania's plays are. Where is the in depth inquiry?
11:04 pm
Soros has no business before DC Council, nor relies on sweetheart contracts from said council for his wealth. False equivalence.
11:07 pm
But he does with the US government.
11:07 pm
What Thompson has done is nothing new. Again, anyone investigating Clark Construction's affiliations?
11:09 pm
That's fine, and not LL's beat. Yell at the national media.
11:17 pm
I agree. But what I am saying is this is nothing new and has no new element to it other than the fact the man is black. Have you been to the Wilson Building lately. Do you see the amount of lobbyist (99%) of which are non-black walking in and out of city council member's offices???
Yet, they don't make the news. The amount of business the district does and all we hear about is some mom and pop small time scandals.
Meanwhile big firms and really BIG businessmen are doing tens of millions of dollars in business with the district without a bat on an eye. Oh, and I'm sure they make hefty council contributions LL should go through all council campaign donations then look at the council members voting history on issues that are sensitive to those firms.
Also, again Evans and Catania are obvious targets. If I were a journalist on someone's payroll I'd start there and work my way down. Oh, and the Jim Graham jazz no one is buying...Well, except our trusty journos
3:40 am
@Jon, LL is what it is, DeBonis will take this piece, go a lot deeper, get the money quotes, and thank LL for some of the leg work... Then Sherwood and Kojo will talk next Friday.
Let me tell you, there's more coming, LL only has a weekly column to devote to bringing sunlight in. There is lots of unethical behavior all over the Council, however, this is blatantly illegal. HTj will probably see jail time, I'd put money on it, and I think that deserves a little more coverage than the normal unethical behavior.
As far as the Thompson story, that was kind of lazy on LL's part, OCF records aren't that bad, and I'd look at it more as an easy piece for LL as opposed to serious investigative journalism, I mean, what did he uncover that most DC residents didn't already know?
I can't believe LL hasn't started harassing the Asian or Hispanic/Latin councilmembers yet... oh wait.
@Alan, keep it up.
4:08 am
What, no designer dress or lobster dinner for Michelle Antoinette Obama?
7:08 am
Next Question: WHO will run for Thomas' seat on the council? When is the date for the special election?
signed: Ready to vote.
9:33 am
I absolutely hate it when idiots come on here ranting about the relevance of race in matters like these. Please address the relevant issue. Speculating as to why non-black politicians aren’t being scrutinized enough when compared to black politicians in DC has nothing with the issue at hand. Harry Thomas did a series of unconscionable things and it matters not that he is black, hell, he could be fucking green for all I care. If other members of the council are as relentlessly stupid as Thomas, be them black or white, I’m sure it will surface. But for anyone to come on here and use color to try to detract from the real issue is simply a race-baiting douchebag.
9:46 am
@Adrian, exactly. Thank You.
10:05 am
Jon Waggoner aka Team Thomas mouthpiece. Hey Jon, how much did you get from the Team Thomas slush fund?
10:06 am
People should go read the actual complain filed by Nathan. It's linked by the wapo. It lists countless instantces where Thomas literally made up fake receipts for tens of thousands of dollars worth of purchases for "equipment", that were never purchaed.
Oh, and Thomas's partner in crime, who pocketed about 90K of the 400K as his "share" has turned states witness against Thomas, providing the District with tons of coorespondance and paperwork, and already repaid the District for his share of the monies.
In a normal world, this kind of thing would send Thomas away for a few years, but we live in a city where the Felon Mayor for Life has yet to spend a day in jail the past decade for all the crap he has pulled, so I dunno./
10:33 am
@ABM, I don't think JW clearly stating that Thomas is a crook and should resign can really be considered as "detracting from the real issue." So IMO, the relevant issue you want him to focus on was addressed. Does that mean that there should be no discussion beyond that?
Personally, i don't know what Alan's angle is but him being accused of being relentless w/black politicians and like fairy dust with black politicians isn't a new accusation..whether true or not.
Remember the black african swindler (or how he was portrayed) Rueben Charles? Anything come out of Alan's relentless fact-finding mission?
Alan's reporting, along with the WPOST, is responsible for people linking Kwame Brown's "Navigator" to Vincent Gray's. And what did Vincent do wrong again? Nothing.
Then we come full circle to the puff piece on Jim Graham. It is a fact that throughout all of Alan's reporting, Graham is the only person connected to a person who's on his way to jail. No one else. Just Graham.
It's highly possible that Alan is reporting on Thomas and others in the same manner in which the local media has always reported on Marion Barry. He could sneeze too loudly and there would be a story written about him.
With that as a framework, it makes it that much easier to see a racial angle.
It's a fact that the media was much more interested in Suilamon Brown and standard political hires than Jim Graham.
10:55 am
SEis4ME- I expected more from you. How the hell is any of that stuff really a matter of debate on an article about Harry Thomas swindling hundred of thousands of dollars from the City in the form of a shady slush fund? Really, how is Jim Graham involved in this or what the hell does Reuben Charles have to do with any of it. Maybe an op-ed should be written about the lack of investigations into non-black politicians in DC and then we can let loose whatever hell you or others want to bring, but until that happens, how the fuck is commenting about Evans and Catania's second jobs really contributing to this specific issue?
10:59 am
Do you guys remember former Mayor Shelia Dixon in Baltimore? She was under investigation during her tenure as the President of Baltimore City Council. She went on to become the mayor of Baltimore, Maryland. Later, her ass was convicted of corruption.
The same will happen to DC Ward 5 Councilmember Harry Thomas, Jr.
11:13 am
ABM, so you're really suggesting that we shouldn't comment outside the scope of the article itself. Ok got it. I'll remember that the next time I see a comment from you that has nothing to do with the article.
Oh wait! I don't have to since you are doing it now. JW's post had virtually nothing to do w/this story. Yet, you respond to the same person whose comments had little to do with the story. Then you go even further and respond to me that I shouldn't be commenting on things that have nothing to do w/the story. Not to be outdone, you then suggest that WCP posters shouldn't comment on what another poster had to say even if it had nothing to do w/the actual article.
This is done all while commenting on what another poster had to say..that had nothing to do w/the article.
Yeah, guess it makes sense.
11:19 am
I'd try to argue with Jon Waggoner's notion that our reporting is rooted in bias, but it seem like he's got all the bases covered. If we write about black politicians, he says we're doing it because we're racists; if we write about white politicians, he says we're only doing it to prove we're not racists. Of course, we do write about powerful white players in the D.C. area as well as powerful black players; after all, one powerful and influential white man is suing us right now because he didn't like the way we wrote about him.
For the record, we'd be thrilled to write about Clark Construction, and if Waggoner or anyone else has a specific angle to pursue there, besides just the fact they do a lot of business in the District, by all means, let us know. As for why we wrote about campaign contributions from Jeffrey Thompson's company, so far as I know, it's the only one to pay millions of dollars in fines to settle charges that it scammed the city—and then immediately turn around and get millions of dollars more in contracts with the city. Thompson isn't exactly a small operation when it comes to D.C. contracts; Chartered Health, which he owns, has a $320 million a year deal with the District government.
What George Soros has to do with any of that, I'm not entirely sure.
11:39 am
We truly deserve better in Ward 5. I am sorry Harry Thomas mother is living to see her son do such a horrible thing. I think the best thing for him to do is resign and let someone else take over as Councilmember of Ward 5. It is a sad day in Ward 5. I hope he makes his peace with God.
11:44 am
The Mayor Dixon reference is particularly apt. She was taking gift cards that had been given to the city to help poor kids and spending them at Best Buy to buy herself an Xbox.
But then again, she's black, so maybe that was just her way of fighting back against centuries of the White Man keeping People of Color down, and I'm a racist for even thinking that the White Man didn't owe her an Xbox. Hopefully she got an extra controller just to make up for Selma.
Maybe the White Man owes Harry Thomas Jr. a round of golf at every club in Myrtle Beach, plus a night out at Hooters with the fellas. He's black! Screw you, White Man!
11:45 am
@Mike Madden; isn't the man suing the CP is white and Jewish?
11:45 am
Qouted From AG's Press Release:
"The enforcement action was filed today in District of Columbia Superior Court,following an extensive investigation by the Office of the Attorney General. The
Complaint alleges that, using the resources of his Council office, Mr. Thomas obtained largely for his personal use more than $300,000 that had been ear-marked for "youth baseball programs" and solicited, without a District charitable solicitation license and without a
501(c)(3) organization, more than $80,000 from private donors for alleged charitable purposes that were never established. The District funds were provided by
Council legislation in 2007 to the D.C. Children & Youth Investment Trust Corporation, which at Mr. Thomas's direction, passed them to the Langston 21st Century Foundation,which in turn, at Mr. Thomas's direction, secretly paid most of the money to Mr. Thomas through his for-profit and non-profit corporations. Much of the money was then spent for the personal benefit of Mr. Thomas, including the use of over $58,000 to purchase an
Audi Quattro Premium sports utility vehicle, which is titled in Mr. Thomas's name. The Complaint's allegations include that Mr. Thomas knowingly made or caused to be made false statements, conspired with others to commit fraud, violated the District's charitable solicitations law and regulations, and was unjustly enriched. The Complaint seeks a monetary judgment for the District against Thomas for over $1 million, which includes
treble damages for the $316,000 taken from the earmark by Thomas' corporations, plus civil penalties, attorneys' fees and costs and an injunction against future charitable
solicitations by Thomas."
11:47 am
SEis4ME- Nice, circular logic is your friend, continue running with it. Again, all I'm trying to say is that when comments skirt the issue by bringing a non-relevant issue like race into the mix, it makes very little sense. What in this article makes you assume that extra scruntiny was placed on Thomas because he was black? The running theme seems to be that the man is just a fucking moron.
When an article ran about Graham not too long ago implicating Graham, commentators viscerated him solely because of the fact that he was white and gay, nothing to do with the speculative charges leveled against him. Now, when pretty blatant discrepancies abounds with Harry Thomas, it's some vast conspiracy by the White media to bring down another black man. Fuck that. The issue at hand is Thomas engaged in a lenghty series of unaccounted transactions involving a fake nonprofit and has no explanation to defend his actions. That's pretty fucked up. Keep it fair, tear into his ass as you would Graham. Is that too much to ask?
Madden- great response.
11:57 am
@Southeast Ken --
Yes, he's white and Jewish. So what? The point is, we write about powerful white people, and they don't like it any more than powerful black people. And what we write has nothing to do with whether they're white, or black, or Jewish, or whatever.
12:02 pm
Even if CP were to ignore stories on other politicians, someone else would write it -- this is a pretty diverse and competitive news market. But without evidence, it's tough to write a story. That's why the calls for more council transparency are important.
12:07 pm
I don't think discussing the role of race in media reporting is invalid, however the message that some posters are sending is short-sighted and counterproductive.
Arguing that detailed reporting on Harry Thomas Jr. amounts to targeting black politicians and that the media shouldn't focus so much on his story provides corrupt politicians with a race-baiting excuse for their behavior and creates unnecessary barriers to removing them from office . On the other hand, demanding that the media investigate white politicians as thoroughly is productive and, in the end, will help us rid our city of all the crooked council members.
It's also disheartening to see some bloggers urging their communities to defend their politicians from "white" DC. The actions of HTJ or Kwame Brown affect our entire community, and in the case of HTJ, disproportionately hurt the black community. It is asinine for members of that very community to argue that black politicians should be defended because they are being "targeted" - to what end? To keep a corrupt black politician in office so he can keep stealing from you? If you truly believe there is racial bias in media reporting, wouldn't your energy be better spent in demanding white politicians be held to the same standards of scrutiny? One tactic helps keeps crooks in office; the other helps get rid of all of them.
In the end, we will only get the government we deserve if we demand accountability of everyone and end the mentality of protecting politicians who look like "us" from "them" (whomever "us" and "them" may be).
12:11 pm
@Mike; the reason why I mention the Jewish religion, many people think being Jewish is a race of people. Most Jews in the United States are Caucasian.
I am glad to see the media writing about corrupt politicians of all races or ethnic backgrounds. What disturbs me, when there are black politicians involved in corruption, I read the most racist vile comments on blogs about blacks as a whole. Yes, white politicians, Puerto Rican politicians, and others too have been convicted of corruption, but I don't see racist comments on blogs regarding white politicians. Several years ago, a Puerto Rican mayor of Camden, New Jersey was convicted of corruption. I read some of the most hateful and racist comments attacking all Puerto Ricans or Latinos as being corrupt politicians.
I don't like any of our DC Councilmembers. This is the worst legislative body since Home Rule.
12:18 pm
Bad is bad but it is true that all bad isn't treated the same especially when it comes to hue. Veering from the crooked country road of Thomas, just look at the Casey Anthony case where a young blue-blood was let off (shaking head). I tend to to strongly believe that if Anthony was a sepia sister that sister would have been convicted of the death penalty even before the verdict was rendered.
However, I do not believe that Suderman's approach is of the prejudicial kind. All he is doing is uncovering dirt. It just so happens that here in DC we have more black politicians on the front lines than we do white. Dirty is dirty and Suderman brings the dirt out regardless of the culprit and what he looks like.
Nice try to make Suderman appear lop-sided because he is ousting a black pol for wrongdoing. This begs the question: Why do people make excuses for bad?
12:26 pm
@Southeast Ken: The question of whether news sites should allow hateful comments in the name of free speech and page hits is a good one. But the choice to allow such comments seems to be a business decision, and stands separately from the choices that newsrooms make about which stories to pursue. Obviously the organization is responsible for all content on its site, but they are administratively somewhat separate issues, so far as I can tell.
12:39 pm
@Toilet Lawmakers:I do not believe that Suderman's approach is of the prejudicial kind. All he is doing is uncovering dirt. It just so happens that here in DC we have more black politicians on the front lines than we do white. Dirty is dirty and Suderman brings the dirt out regardless of the culprit and what he looks like.
Nice try to make Suderman appear lop-sided because he is ousting a black pol for wrongdoing. This begs the question: Why do people make excuses for bad?
PERFECT RESPONSE. Well said. Why do some make excuses for incompetence, and outright thievery?
12:46 pm
ABM, thanks to you, I know not to respond to anything you say that isn't directly related to the article.
And what you just wrote, isn't. Let's not try to engage me on what I could possibly consider a racial angle in Suderman's reporting because as you mentioned earlier, it's irrelevant.
In other words, don't shit on an idea and then turn around and ask somebody to explain.
Just keep shitting and keep it movin.
12:55 pm
@ Jon Waggoner
A HIT DOG WILL SCREAM WHEN HIT....and you have hit quite a few here!
I have been screaming the same thing here as well in public.......THERE IS A DOUBLE STANDARD WHERE THERE SHOULD BE NONE! And that is dangerous in of itself, especially with the morale, lack there of social and fiscal responsibility, acute change and UNEMPLOYMENT for blacks at an all time high...you damn skippy what you and the likes of me have and continue to state are dangerously RELEVANT!
DISREGARD ABM...just read that tag name....this appeases, cheek turning LIBERAL douchebag knows absolutely NO common sense or allegiance to self...his type of self hate is what has US screwed!
If you can't have solidarity where needed, fair journalism where ethical and a higher moral compass than the next...then what is your purpose?????? AGENDA MUCH!
NOW these thieves and idiots who are self serving servants don't make our stance very credible when it's all there for all to see, but play fair WHEN CONDUCTING THESE INVESTIGATIONS.....less is MORE!
Mr. Waggoner keep up the good fight....for I hope that the council will be thoroughly exterminated and ridded of scoundrel, but not at the expense of witch hints and ETHNIC CLEANSING!
TOO EASY AND TOO OBVIOUS.....,
12:58 pm
ABM IS A LIMP WRISTED BAFOON WHO WILL CUT OFF HIS NOSE TO SPITE HIS FACE......can be likened to a Sambo...."yezzir boss'!
1:08 pm
seDCdude, you just called Suderman's piece "ethnic cleansing." That's a pretty conclusive demonstration of the wisdom and perspective that you bring to this discussion.
1:14 pm
Harry Thomas Jr. is starting to make ex-Mayor-for-Life Barry seem like an amateur.
Mayor Gray and DC Council should pressure Thomas to resign, NOW! Even the PG Council has got enough guts to force out Leslie Johnson.
1:31 pm
@Anon; I am glad many blogs let people say how they feel in their hearts, even if it's racist, vile, or hateful. I don't beleive in censorship. This is one of the things I'm proud to be a U.S. citizen.
1:32 pm
If DC Ward 5 DC Councilmember Harry Thomas Jr. is found guilty, his ass should go to jail, along with Leslie and Jack Johnson. I am tired of lying, self serving, corrupt politicians regardless of race.
1:36 pm
@SESCDUDE, I think Adrian Bent-Me have a white parent. I don't think he sees himself as black. He sees himself as mixed race in the political correct world we live in, but the one drop rule has always applied in the United States. Former New York Congressman Adam Clayton Powell, Dr. Charles Drew, and Lena Horne could have passed for white during Jim Crow.
1:38 pm
SEis4ME- really, this is the best you have? It's expected from some of these other douchebags, seDCdude especially, but not you SEis4Me, not you. I've pissed out better responses than what you've offered here.
Making what Harry Thomas did to the District irrelevant because of the strategy of presenting unsubstantiated claims of a race-baiting asshole is fucking pathetic. Calling out this asshole for utilizing this strategy has brought the wrath of another asshole defending the first asshole's stupidity. When will you assholes stop being so inexplicably stupid.
Engage me when you're up to my level, but until then, fuck off douchebag.
seDCdude- If I'm an Uncle Tom for not defending Thomas soley because he's black, fucking great, I'll wear that hat any day of the week. It's being that being a simple-minded, race-baiting, douchebag.
1:39 pm
This was a well researched, well written, interesting read.
3:20 pm
You can add Kwame Full Loaded Brown to the list. WTOP is reporting, DC Council Chairman Kwame Brown is under federal investigation.
3:26 pm
You folks who believe that Harry Thomas, Jr. should be defended on any front are delusional. As one of his constituents, I have always believed he was guilty of malfeasance and I have never voted for him. His performance as a CM does not even rise to the level of mediocre.
Now that these charges have been filed, clear evidence of avarice has been provided. His actions are indefensible. Please do not even consider giving him a free pass. Some earlier comments allude to extra-marital activities. That may be merely innuendo, but if it is true, I will leave that to Harry’s wife to deal with. (That may already be in play – a moving van was seen outside the Thomas home recently.)
The other allegations, if true, adversely affect us as his constituents, therefore, he needs to resign and give full time and attention to his defense. His access to taxpayer funds, along with the opportunity to misappropriate them, should cease immediately.
Bottom line – he spent more time devising ways to line his pockets than he spent serving his constituents. He needs to go now. Harry needs to take a plea, too, he need not further embarrass himself, because if he proceeds to trial, it is unlikely a jury would find him not guilty—in the legal sense-–because he surely is not innocent.
3:42 pm
Wendy, well said! I couldn't have said it any better.
3:56 pm
Mike is full of BS. After I heard the young lady on WPFW about "H" street, I reached out to her and she said she sent info to Allen and he fowarded the info to Lydia.
Now Jonetta has written about it and Allen didn't even provide a link to the story in his morning updates.
While Harry may be heading to slammer, I don't think that calling out the media on their bias is wrong. Jon is expressing what many in the community have been talking about for months.
Hey, Allen and Mike....maybe that's a story you guys should write about.
4:01 pm
@Really? --
What story? I don't know which lady on WPFW you're talking about, and I don't know which story of Jonetta's you're talking about. You're welcome to link to it here or email me at mmadden(AT)washingtoncitypaper.com if you want to send along information.
5:04 pm
@ Jon W: HTJ didn't do some "ill-advised" things - he broke the law by stealing taxpayer money from DC children. Instead of implying that LL should go easy on HTJ, why don't you expend your energy on demanding that Graham, Catania and Evans have their dirty laundry delved into also? The message shouldn't be the media goes easy on white politicians, so it should go easy on black politicians. It should be let's put the same spotlight on white politicians. That way, the bigots who think only black politicians are messing up DC will see that their white ones are just as bad. Otherwise we give every ignorant person another reason to point and say "see, community [fill in the black] is protecting so-and-so because they are [fill in the blank]".
As far as this article reporting nothing new, I for one am interested in finding out exactly where HTJ fraudulently spent my tax dollars. I'll bet there are plenty of DC residents who feel the same way.
@seDCdude: Where my family comes from ethnic cleansing meant anyone who looked like us was rounded up, executed and dumped in mass graves that are still being discovered today. Using that term in your argument is ignorant and disrespectful. Read up on some history before you use wildly inappropriate terms to make your argument.
5:32 pm
As I have been saying for the last six weeks, it's time for you media types to actually do some digging on Allen Lew and his criminal conduct--to the tune of $15 million minimum--while heading up The Office of Public Education Facilities Management. There are twin reports now out from the Auditor and Inspector General confirming his shenanigans.
Lew is an arrogant thug who has cost DC taxpayers millions of unnecessary dollars--think "baseball stadium and convention center". Are you going to let Dorothy Brizill kick your butts on this story, too?
5:32 pm
TNB. Which means Typical N****R behavior.
5:52 pm
Mike did ask allen about it? I'll let Pam know to read this story for your email address.
http://jonettarosebarras.com/?p=2027H STREET DIVIDE
INTERESTINGLY, while Gray courts Walmart and shores up his political bases, some small business owners on H St. NE have continued to plead for assistance. They said they are being forced to close or are watching businesses be put up for tax sales because of a four-year-old, government-sponsored streetscape construction project.
A loan program that was supposed to help them was weakened when the council decided to use the $723,000 to help business in other parts of the city—not just H St. NE. And, conditions on the release of money from a fund established using anticipated tax revenues also won’t bring relief. Owners and advocates said it essentially discriminates against existing businesses.
“They want certain kinds businesses, “explained Anwar Saleem, chairman of the H St. NE Main Street Corporation. “It’s like they want to force out certain businesses. That’s not the government’s job. It should be market forces that decide what happens.”
According to officials with the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development and the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, $5 million of the $25 million TIF has been identified to cover parking for a new Giant expected to open at 3rd and H St. NE. The remainder of the fund is for development that includes “eligible retail businesses,” which have been described as those “engaged in the sale of home furnishings, apparel, books, art, groceries, and general merchandise goods to specialized customers…. Eligible retail development projects shall not include liquor stores, restaurants, nightclubs, hair salons, barber shops and phone stores.”
So, businesses that withstood the bad times on the strip–multiple recessions, a crack epidemic, and government-funded construction—can forget about it. They don’t deserve assistance.
It’s understandable Saleem, Pamela Johnson and other mostly minority businesses are riled.
Johnson has blamed Ward 6 Councilman Tommy Wells for the devastation; 27 businesses went to tax sale last year alone. She said while he helped to secure a grant for the predominantly white H St. Cooperative, he did little or nothing for black and Asian-owned businesses. They were mostly carryouts and beauty salons, she said. Not Wells’ kinds of business.
A noncompetitive grant went to the cooperative; the money was used to provide shuttle bus service, principally in the evening, said Johnson. There wasn’t any shuttle for daytime businesses; they lost customers who couldn’t find parking or who couldn’t contend with the hassles of getting to the establishments, she continued.
“It put us in a predicament where a lot of us are moving out,” Johnson told TBR.
Charles Allen, a spokesman for Wells, denied charges of discrimination and favoritism. He said Wells was not involved in the grantmaking or in the operation of the shuttle. Further, he said the councilman tried to persuade OTR to lower assessments of many of the minority owned businesses. But he was rebuffed.
“We put in funding over a year ago for direct assistance to businesses negatively impacted by construction,” continued Allen. “In December that was reduced to $723,000.”
That amount is woefully inadequate. Moreover, by the time the government finally gets around to releasing the loan money, it may be too late for businesses owners like Johnson.
“Our office is in the midst of establishing the regulatory process for applicants to the fund,” Jose Sousa, a spokesman for the deputy mayor for planning and economic development, told TBR. He said it could be another 60 days before the rules are finalized.
Gray has been pushing the transportation department to complete by the end of June the construction work that has ravaged H St. businesses. If DDOT meets that timeline, the government may decide there isn’t any need for the loan program. That would be a mistake, said Saleem.
“Just because construction is over,” said Saleem, “it doesn’t mean the problem is over.
Actually, for folks like Johnson, the heartache may be just beginning.
jonetta rose barras can be reached at jonetta@jonettarosebarras.com
5:52 pm
LET ME TRY TO PROVIDE SOME LEVITY TO THIS SIT-CHI-ATION. I KNOW I’M THE LAST PERSON TO DEFEND SOMEONE HERE BUT J.WAG COMMENT #6 WAS TOUCHING ON A POINT THAT I’VE BEEN TRYING TO MAKE SINCE SEWERMAN AND HIS DALLAS COWBOY LOVIN ASS MADE HIS WAY INTO THESE PAGES.
IT JUST SEEMS THAT SEWERMAN HAS A PENCHANT FOR THE TYPES OF STORIES THAT INVOLVE BLACK POLS WHO HAVE A HINT OF CORRUPT ION AND THAT HE BELIEVES WILL GARNER INTEREST AMONGST US REGULAR COMMENTERS AND THOSE WHO ARE JUST VISITING.
HIS SILLYMON OBSESSION WAS SHOWING LIKE A BULGE IN EURO CUT JEANS AFTER LEAVING ‘THE HOUSE’ ON GEO AVE. FOLK FORGOT THAT SEWERMAN AND SILLYMON GOT INTO PERSONALLY DURING PRIMARY OVER SILLYMON’S LACK OF DC ID OR TAGS OR SOME SHIT. I THOUGHT HE AND STILL THINK HE OVER REPORTED ON THAT CLOWN WHEN THERE ARE MORE PRESSING ISSUES THAT COULD HAVE BEEN SHOW MORE ATTENTION.
I QUESTIONED HIS LACK OF INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM BUT HE HAS MADE IMPROVEMENTS IN THIS AREA WITH THE HELP OF MAYOR GRAY’S PROMISE TO MAKE TO THE CITY MORE TRANSPARENT. THE F.O.I.A. IS HIS BEST FRIEND IN THIS ADMINISTRATION. HIS LATEST PIECES ON THOMAS IN MY VIEW HAVE BEEN FAIR REPORTING AND FACTUAL.
HOWEVER, THE COMPARISONS IN REPORTING BETWEEN TAXI GRAHAM’S FELONIOUS CHIEF OF STAFF AND THOSE BLACK POLS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN CONVICTED OF A CRIME HAVE BEEN UNBALANCED. DOES IT HAVE TO DO WITH THE DISPARITY OF WHITE FOLK V. BLACK FOLK ON THE COUNCIL? I DON’T THINK SO! THE NUMBERS ARE EQUAL THE REPORTING ISNT.
WHAT STORIES HAVE SEWERMAN POSTED ON WHITE COUNCIL MEMBERS? ONE AND THAT WAS ON GRAHAM’S C.O.S. EVEN HIS STORY LAST WEEK SHOWED MUG SHOTS OF ALL THE BLACK MEMBERS THAT REC’D MONEY FROM BIG TIME DONOR AND NOT ONE PIC OF WHITE MEMBERS THAT REC’D MONEY.
GAYTANIA HEADED HEALTH COMMITTEE WHILE AIDS RAN RAMPANT IN THE CITY WHILE HIS COCKSUCKING ASS WAS FORCING HOMOSEXUAL MARRIAGE BILL THRU ILLEGALLY BUT WE FOUND OUT ABOUT MICHEAL ‘BAMMA ASS’ BROWN AND HIS FAKE CLAIM TO FAME
EVANS HAVE CONFLICT OF INTEREST WRITTEN ALL OVER HIS GUILTY LOOKING ASS BUT KNOW ONE WOULD NEVER KNOW BECAUSE SEWERMAN IS BUSY REPORTING ON HOW MANY PARKING TIX BARRY HASN’T PAID.
I READ W.C.P. CUZ THA POST WENT RIGHTWING IN THEIR REPORTING. THEY SOLD D.C. RESIDENTS OUT WHO HAVE SUPPORTED THEIR ASSES SINCE I WAS BORN. WHEN I READ LL LATELY IT SEEMS LIKE IM READING THE WASHINGTON POST LITE.
IN ALL HONESTY I GOT FAITH IN SEWERMAN. HE IS JUST WAITING TO DROP THAT BOMSHELL ON THE BEST COUNCIL MEMBER W.D.C EVER HAD IN WELLS OR THAT HE DISCOVERED CHEH IS SECRETLY SUPPORTING THE SYSTEMATIC FAILURE OF THE GRAY ADMIN OR THAT GAYTANIA IS ACTUALLY A STRAIGHT REPUBLICAN HE IS MASQUERADING AS AN INDEPENDENT HOMOSEXUAL.
SIDEBAR-YO MADMIKE THE STORY ON THE HATED MEGALOMANIAC DOESNT COUNT BECAUSE THA SKINS IS ABOUT BURGUNDY AND GOLD AND IT WAS POSTED BY DAVE MAC.
5:53 pm
Mike the info you seek is "awaiting moderation"
6:16 pm
Ivan Cloyd Needs to hurry up and run this is sick
6:37 pm
It is a possibility that Suderman is racist. It is a fact that Thomas is wrong. If "the man" is really trying to take Thomas down, he's got a job made all the more easy by Thomas' shady dealings. I could see a random charge to the Team Thomas account for something unrelated - you were stuck and that was the only card on you; you replaced the $ the next day; it's still wrong but defensible. The habitual nature of this just shows a disregard for ethics, the law, the taxpayers who fund and support him, and his position as a leader and public figure.
Now you guys should go read and comment on the Wal-Mart story, which will have a much greater impact in the District than Thomas and his antics.
7:34 pm
noodlez, in my opinion, I think Miss Catania is an evil redneck gay white male. I dislike her as a human being, not because he's gay. I dislike her because she's evil. Catania chairs the committee that oversees mental health. She could give a dam about mental health, but she catered to the white gay male population during the AIDS crisis.
8:09 pm
@Jon Waggoner - LL covers the DC council and the DC government, which is predominantly black. I want to know about those who steal shit on my dime as a taxpayer. If you don't pay taxes, or don't care then why even read the article.
We as taxpayers (Black, White, Latino, etc.) should demand better and hold our local politicians accountable.
8:16 pm
@ Southeast Ken
I think you're right about ABM, he mos def lacks that certain oomF that would qualify em' as a brotha!
@ ABM
Yeah yeah, spare us...we see you and you know that we know WE got you pegged UNCLE RUCKUS!
@ shameful
Where I come from we could care less about your plight or what you think, but I will say this....lighten up homey and stop being so literal, with the likes of the ever present jaded journalism here, coupled with that AGENDA, no 1 will care if all blacks ended up like your reference!
Furthermore right is right and wrong is wrong, but it's a problem when 1s wrong is just that while the other is acceptable, reasonable, minimized or TRANSFERED.......nothing new here, same shit different buttholes......
8:18 pm
Ain't that cut n dry Dre.......
8:21 pm
@Dre; I agree. All politicians should be held accountable. I am digusted with lying, corrupt, self serving politicians. I wonder how many DC male Councilmembers have been sending men and women naked pictures of themselves on FACEBOOK? I can't imagine Miss Piggy Alexander sending nude pictures of herself. LOL
10:30 pm
@Dre-"LL covers the DC council and the DC government, which is predominantly black."
LL COVERS DC POLITICS AND DC POLITICIANS. THERE ARE 6 WHITE COUNCILMEMBERS AND 6 BLACK COUNCILMEMBERS.
I DONT UNDERSTAND YOUR COMMENT.
10:41 pm
Why hate on Suderman when there are bigger fish to fry?
Since Brown, Kwame, and Gray are all under Federal investigation, it would seem that the racist conspiracy to investigate local black politicians extends to Mueller, his boss Holder, and his boss Obama.
The shame...
10:49 pm
Ayy NOODLEZ
I got that goN right over that bamma's head!
10:52 pm
BINGO at Drez.........and every joker you just listed is a "bloated", certified ABM!
And the influence, sponsorship and $$$$$$$s come from who............
Yeah, I will be lurking moe for that answer Drez!!
11:06 pm
I suggest the participants in this bizarre, off point discussion thread read through Thomas' bank card charges (posted online by LL).
Thomas is the wrong dude to play the race card on. Save it for the innocent kids who he screwed over.
11:15 pm
TH
NINJA pleez!
Ain't no race card being played chump, TRUTH HURTS we know, funny thing is everybody here with an INKLING of sense has stated clearly and profoundly that they DO NOT CONDONE THIS GREEDY DUDE'S deeds..........blow you huh??? Yeah, right out of Fenty's azzhole!!
8:58 am
I hope black folks can now see what I have been saying all along. The black leadership is under attack!!!!!!!!!!
Everyone talk about that accountability bullshit. How can you have a clean and good government when you only go after black politicians suspected of the misappropriation of funds while the other suspects get a free pass...No, this withering and brutal assault on the black leadership is about one thing---transfer of power.
Given all that Harry Thomas, Kwame Brown or Mayor Gray may have done, I can't condemn them while Jack Evans, David Catania, and Jim Graham get a free pass!!!
These black leaders are being subjected to a double standard, and they are being politically persecuted. Again, how in the hell can Jim Graham and Jack Evans, in particular, escape any punitive actions given all that they have done when it comes to their questionable practices.
In my judgment, none of these black politicians should step down. First, they have not been found guilty of any wrongdoing. Secondly, they must now fight the fuck back. The black community must fight the fuck back.
And, these silly ass niggers that are so interested in tearing down their own kind, would be wise to consider the consequences of being a "traitor".
9:30 am
What's missing from all this (claiming Thomas swindled $400,000 from the city and $80,000 from corporate donors) is the kids served and the Team's assets. Show us the goods.
Will the inner-city youth who learned swing sports from Harry Thomas durind this period and from these funds please stand up?
Where is all the stuff purchased? With the kids? Okay. In Harry Thomas' garage with "property of Harry Thomas" stamped on it? C'Mon, Son!
9:58 am
ABM, bent out of shape here?
JW said, "@Tom (Sheerwood) -I know Thomas is crooked. I'm not defending him. All I am saying is spread the love around. There are other crooks of other races in city council.
That's what he said. Now you can continue down the road of illfashioned ignorance but the facts are what they are. YOU are the one who chimed in chasting someone for speaking outside the scope of this article while...speaking outside the scope of this article. You can read, go back and look.
My point to you is the same as now. It's stupid to tell someone not to talk outside the scope of the article especially when it (what's talked about) is a consistent accusation found among black folk about DC media. Whether you agree with the accusations IS irrelevant.
If that sort of mind boggling inconsistency is a product of your intellectual acumen, then I'm happy to never reach your level.
Douchebag? Really? Of all words...douchebag?
You got me there. Man did that word sting. Ouch!
11:30 am
@Respected Citizens
Thanks for the heads up on the Allen Lew/Turner Construction connection. Glad to see someone else paying attention. Just one more reason for Lew to join the ranks of those under investigation.
In answer to a July 6th question from Dorothy Brizill, Mayor Gray admitted publicly that he hasn't read either the auditor's or inspector general's reports detailing the sordid, multi-million dollar giveaway ($9.7 million to Fenty friend Keith Lomax and $5.5 million to Turner Construction among other irregularities) of government/taxpayer funds from Lew's Office of Public Education Facilities Management(OPEFM) that have NO supporting documentation.
Maybe Gray thinks a head-in-the-sand posture will help him when the US Attorney's office comes knocking for details.
2:05 pm
@ ABM: Your points are well taken. On this one, you have the cajones to call b.s. and stand up for what you believe in.
Whew! That was tough to say given the number of times you've addressed me as "douchebag".
7:19 pm
TH
GTFOH!!!
ABM's point well taken alright...yeah, you would align and support what suits your position as opposed to what's correct you spineless gerbil!
11:34 pm
@ Mike Madden and @ Alan Suderman - Have you looked at Natwar Gandhi and the OCFO? That office is plagued with corruption, mismanagement and theft from top to bottom. I'm disappointed that WCP hasn't done more to disclose these issues.
1:22 am
I am tired of this "it's because he is black!" crap. The last time I checked a black man is the CEO of the country.
Harry Thomas jr is a shameless THEIF who belongs in the slammer. By the way Harry, your future cell-mate fat Leroy is waiting for you and he has been very lonely.
10:33 pm
Jonathan Waggoner I agree with you. I wonder if there are any politicians in this United States or Lobbyist that have corruption in their world. Did corruption exist before blacks were able to obtain political status? Anyone?
5:09 pm
I think that Calvin Gurley should run against Vincent Orange for the at-large seat. Calvin Gurley could beat VO hands down. VO has demonstrated that he has very little support in this city. He barely won in the special election in a crowded field of political newcomers. Moreover, he really does not have a solid constituency that can ensure him an election. On the other hand, Calvin Gurley can win over the black senior citizens who are a major pillar of the black voter base. In addition, he can rally support from the black working class and even make respectable strives amongst the black middle class. He must run as a progressive and portray VO as a puppet of the board of trade and big business.
Aside from someone like Calvin Gurley, the possibility does exist that someone like Gabe Klein or Brian Weaver could very well pull out a victory if they decide to run.
The 2012 election will be very significant in many respects and the balance of power in this city could very well shift. And, this new reality may become irreversible.
7:23 pm
begh ... is The records show that Team Thomas only that ?
12:04 pm
Stop Bitching and Start the Revolution !!
2:42 pm
What's with DC politicians and $60,000 cars? Why do they need the status symbol of big expensive vehicles so much that they suck money meant for youth programs?
Thomas deserves prison and the executive of the non-profit that took city grant funds and turned it around and fed it back to Thomas under the table should go to prison too.
8:15 am
Even and idgit knows that you only pay with cash at Hooters. lol
5:09pmtony Do you mean this LeroyThorpe(.com)?
3:53 am
interesting story, nice post.
9:54 am
Crooks and kings..
10:33 am
That's what some call ghetto rich: living off other people's money.
1:53 pm
How did Thomas get away with getting money from the city's Youth and Investment Trust all that time without any monitoring?
If the CYITC allowed him to do that they should also be held accountable for mismanagement. And if CYITC looked the other way with Thomas probably did with Marion Barry and other CMs.
10:07 am
The Feds should give Harry a deal and let him blow up the city council...I'm sure he has tons of dirt on the politicians and bureaucrats of the city from when his father was a council member to present.
Who cares about what color you are...the pigs of the council need to go down! This kinds BS has been going on for way too long, now.
I implore the true journalist of the city to pull up their sleeves and look into the people who run DC...PLEASE! They are all frauds who are looking to better themselves and not the city.