Kwame Brown Calls For HTJ To Do Something
D.C. Council Chairman Kwame "Fully Loaded" Brown is calling on Ward 5 Councilmember Harry Thomas to do something, LL's just not sure what it is, following last week's news that Thomas had agree to pay the District back $300,000 after the Office of the Attorney General accused him of stealing funds earmarked for a youth sports program.
"I have urged Councilmember Thomas to consider seriously doing what is best for his family and his constituents as he moves forward from the settlement," Brown says in a statement released by his office.
LL asked Brown's spokeswoman Karen Sibert if that line that meant Brown was joining his colleagues Councilmembers David Catania and Mary Cheh in calling for Thomas to resign. "That's not what I got from his statement, no," says Sibert.
Okay, so what does it mean exactly? Full statement after the jump:
“Last Friday, Councilmember Harry Thomas settled the civil lawsuit brought against him by the District of Columbia, which alleged that he directed and used city charitable funds for his own personal and political use. While I am disappointed with the entire situation, I am pleased that a settlement was reached quickly and that the city will not have to expend valuable resources to pursue this matter further.
Councilmember Thomas has spent a lifetime committed to helping our youngest generations learn life skills through competitive sports. However, as Chairman of the Council, my highest priority is to ensure that the people of this city have faith in their government. I have urged Councilmember Thomas to consider seriously doing what is best for his family and his constituents as he moves forward from the settlement.
The Council’s Code of Ethics demands that members act solely in the public interest and not for any personal gain. Members must keep the public’s trust and the integrity of the District government at the forefront of any decision making. No member is above reproach and my colleagues and I will work to ensure that the Council of the District of Columbia is in a position to continue to work effectively for the people of this city.”
Photo by Darrow Montgomery
4:26 pm
It means nothing.
Kwame can claim to the good government types that he called on Thomas to "do something". And at the same time, he can tell Thomas' supporters and the black middle class in Ward 5 that he never kicked Thomas when he was down or told him to quit.
Perfect splitting of the baby, although in the usual Kwame manner of ham-handed transparency that fools no one.
4:29 pm
There are more people on that council who need to go than ever. WTH?
If council members aren't supposed to use their positions for personal gain, why did Fully Loaded Teddy Ruxpin Brown use his position to snatch Wells' committee after he was caught in a report about his SUV scandals? To me, every dishonest person deserves to be investigated and removed if that's what the investigation calls for. Enough is enough.
As a side note, the BOEE chair's resignation is quite timely. I wonder where that will lead!
4:41 pm
So, Harry Thomas Jr. steals $300K from the District, is asked to pay back $300K three years later. Lesson learned... The District will provide interest free loans to crooked politicians.
I love that only two of our councilmembers will call on him to resign. The other 10 should be ashamed of themselves.
4:45 pm
Kwame you suck! Go to Harry's website and you'll find a pic of the younger Harry and Kwame side by side, smiling as if they are about to ravish this city for all they can.
Kwame thought he was off to a good start with the luxury vehicles but that somewhat backfired. Now, this jokester wants us to take seriously this phony press release! Kwame stop it already with those baby political tactics. Go somewhere and put a pacifier in that lying mouth of yours!
You asked Harry to do something. Do what? We want to hear what you've suggested to your buddy Harry! As Skipper said, "nothing."
4:45 pm
This is hogwash. That's why I am fully behind the recall effort that is being organized. Brown Gray and the rest of his cronies should go!
5:26 pm
Kwame "I'm being investigated too" Brown has an opinion!
He'll get back to you on what it is later.
5:39 pm
All posts 1-6 had me ROFLMAO! Most expecially, Marciela -- girl -- "Teddy Ruxpin" hits the nail on the head.
This is a glaring example of why I never voted for Kwame, the sucker will not take a stand on anything. As the saying goes, if you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything. To paraphrase the old blues song, Kwame rocks like his back ain't got no bone!
5:54 pm
Hmmm, now that the settlement is out. They council decided to start to call for his ousting. Brown may have been the final nail in the coffin for brotha Thomas.
Good for Kwame.
Harry T, time to go!!!!!!
6:04 pm
The problem here is that a group of friends and colleagues investigate each other and defend each other. Mary Cheh was interviewed by Mark Plotkin the other day: http://www.wtop.com/?nid=622&sid=2193014.
She seems pretty supportive of Kwame and Grey and critical of Sulaimon Brown. Cheh, who endorsed Grey for mayor, seems to argue that Sulaimon is just a pushy guy who got a job and that nothing happened. How does she know this? She seems to dismiss Sulaimon as not believable but why isn't he?
Why is every "crazy" person who complains about local DC Politicians not to be believed. Maybe they know more by virtue of being crazy enough to engage in local DC Politics. Mary Cheh narrowly avoided her own scandal thanks to the Board of Elections and Ethics Office of Campaign Finance finding her not guilty for paying below market rent for office space. http://ocf.dc.gov/cfd/cfd.asp?cfd_year=2007
6:05 pm
well the council is stuck between a rock and a hard place. On one hand they would liketo be paid back the 300k HTj stole, but know that without a job...he won't be able to...on the other...they would like to keep stealing themselved...by the way is HTj an attorney? Could he be expelled from the Bar?
6:16 pm
Feds will put sorry azz Harry Thomas and spineless Kwame Brown in the penitentiary before 2012 ball drops in Times Square. The citizens have to stop voting 'stupid' and realize the white,black and gays on the council are mostly corrupt excluding David Cantania, Tom Wells and Vinnie 'my cousin' Orange-I surmise based on news reporting.
6:29 pm
Why do you need TV, when you have these jokers to keep you entertain? It must be fun being a reporter in WDC.
Seriously, as a Ward 5 resident, I don't care whether he admits guilt or is even convicted. In my opinion, he's lost the public's confidence in being able to serve, so he should step down. It's not about what he thinks he should be doing or what his cronies wants. If the people are telling him to go, he should go, because first and foremost he's a representative of the Ward.
Now having said that....I have a good feeling HTJ thinks he can just wait everyone out, but as a Ward 5 resident...I have long memory and will not be supporting him during re-election time.
6:29 pm
Whoa_now, HTJ is NOT an attorney. He supposedly attended college, but I have never heard anyone say he graduated from college. If he were an attorney -- as the saying goes, he would have a fool for a client.
6:44 pm
About 1 out of 5 people with manic depressive disorder commit suicide.* Read this in Courtland Milloy's column about singer Amy Winehouse today and remember John Wilson (former DC Council member whom committed suicide did the right thing for DC in 1990 and we named a bldg after him)and we now have Harry Thomas, Jr....I am just saying not suggesting we name a building after Harry T until.
6:47 pm
i wanna beatthe heck of this thief
he stole from children youth programs
how sick
i hope he gets prison time an a hefty fine
http://ethicalfutures.wordpress.com
7:16 pm
HTJ is not a JD, but he does still owe the taxpayers (aka you and me) for his 1980's era student loans.
The sense of entitlement from this council is amazing.
7:40 pm
What is that old saying, the pot calling the kettle Brown. Kwame needs to take a time out and go sit in a corner. LOL
7:50 pm
This is a very big deal.
The chairman asked Councilmember Thomas to "consider seriously doing what is best for his... constituents". That's utterly unprecedented. Up to now, Thomas has *never* done what's best for his constituents. It's kind of his thing.
(To be fair, I doubt Thomas will listen, and I really doubt the chairman cares if he does or not. So maybe it's not such a big deal after all.)
8:34 pm
@Southeast Ken, people, like Ward 1 voter, does not want just Harry Thomas out, he wants people like you and I out. We can play that game of "we are all in this boat together" all we want. But, the reality is that certain white folks and some blacks will never feel comfortable under black governance. Again, this whole Harry Thomas issue is not about rooting out corruption, because the same people calling for Harry's head would be calling for Jim Graham's head, and that's not the case. Corruption is corruption. Harry Thomas is no better than Graham and Graham is no better than Harry Thomas. Both of these men may have violated the public trust, but only one of these men are being asked to resign from office. Herein lies the injustice, an injustice that I simply can not condone and nor should you. In fact, if Harry resign tomorrow, then Kwame will be next. Michael Brown, Yvette Alexander, Marion Barry heads will be on the chopping block next. This fight is not about Harry Thomas, but this fight is about political power or the transfer thereof.
There are only a few cities in all America that have blacks in great power, and many of our people paid the ultimate price for this. And, it now appears that all of their work is in great danger. Believe it or not, I will not be personally affected by none of this. I own a real estate investment firm. I live here in upper Ward 4 merely blocks away from two former mayors, but I was raised a certain way. I can never forget from whence I come.
8:37 pm
I'm surprised there aren't more Ward 5 constituents outraged.
9:48 pm
Kwame needs to either step up and lead (ie, specify that he's calling on HTJ to resign) or shut up and contribute to Cooke's HTJ slush fund ...er,um legal defense fund.
HTJ's a key player on the "one city" team. Perhaps that's why one city's captain, Gray, has been MIA as to HTJ's thievery. One City's other starters (Barry, Alexander, Mendo, M. Brown) also have stuck with Harry " f... the kids" Thomas. The only one city CM who has abandoned Mr. Hooters Dude thus far is Cheh. And I question her motives given ward 3 recall rumors.
BTW, to the "it's all about race" commenters out there, I've been calling for Graham to go for two years.
DC's current crop of elected politicians needs to drastically change course if it expects reasonable people to take the city seriously.
9:48 pm
Hey Tony,
Believe it or not, I too have shared your exact sentiment here on WCP blobs for about 4 years now and I must say that your conscienceness is welcomed!
We are living in wicked times, times where manhood, principles and the position of MEN are being usurped by agenda based, nefarious intentions at tricking, and aborting those 30 percent of the population who have NEVER recovered or got necessarily ahead COLLECTIVELY in this country!
The script now has to be flipped across the board and the revolution NEEDS to be televised!
Principles are being compromised for what amounts to suicide and self hate!
Wake up folk, shit is getting REAL!
10:04 pm
Hey Tony,
Believe it or not, I too have shared your exact sentiment here on WCP blogs for about 4 years now and I must say that your conscious is welcomed!
We are living in wicked times, times where manhood, principles and the position of MEN are being usurped by agenda based, nefarious intentions at tricking, and aborting those 30 percent of the population who have NEVER recovered or got necessarily ahead COLLECTIVELY in this country!
The script now has to be flipped across the board and the revolution NEEDS to be televised!
Principles are being compromised, ethics out the window and null n void accountability for what amounts to suicide by self hate!
Wake up folk, shit is getting REAL!
1:16 am
WOW!!!! SERIOUSLY PEOPLE.
YOU PRAISE IN PUBLIC AND YOU SCORN IN PRIVATE!
NO COUNCILMEMBER SHOULD BE COMING OUT IN PUBLIC, GRANDSTANDING AND ADVISING A COLLEAGUE TO RESIGN.
DID HARRY FUCK UP? YES.
DID HARRY MAN UP TO MAKE THINGS RIGHT? YES.
DID HARRY GET CHARGED OR CONVICTED OF A CRIME? NO.
THAT COCKSUCKER GAYTANIA AND HIS HOMOSEXUAL BROOD TRULY DON’T RUN SHIT IN WASHINGTON D.C. SO ALL YALL FOLKS WHO ARE SIDING WITH THAT ASSCLOWN SHOULD CHECK YOURSELF!
I DON’T UNDERSTAND WHY THE RESIDENTS OF WARD 5 CANT SEE THAT THIS WHOLE ORDEAL OF GETTING BACK AT THOMAS WAS ORCHESTRATED BY FAGGIE FENTY AND FAKE ASS NICKLES OVER PARK CONTRACTS AND WAS PERPETRATED BY THAT GAY ASS MOFO WHO RAN AS A REPUBLICAN FOR WARD 5.
FOLK ALL THE COUNCILMEMBERS ARE DOING THE SAME THING. IT’S DONE ON EVERY LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT LOCAL AND FEDERAL. HARRY ROYALLY FUCKED UP BECAUSE HE GOT BOLD AND BRAZEN, BECAUSE HE DIDN’T HAVE FILTERS SET UP AND BECAUSE HE USED CHILDREN.
IT WAS POINTED OUT LAST WEEK THAT WELLS FUNNELED MONEY TO A CHOSEN FEW WHITE FOLK WHILE NEGLECTING H ST NE BUSINESSES THAT STRUGGLED WHILE UNWARRENTED STREETCAR DEBACLE WENT UNCHECKED! WHY FOLK ARENT CALLING FOR HIM TO RESIGN?
ONE CITY WITH DOUBLE STANDARDS FOR ALL!
1:42 am
Chairman Brown has no integrity and the public has no confidence in your judgment, and for someone in a house full of broken windows, you should be laughed out of the Wilson Building. No shame in your game which will be coming to an end at a federal prison for you and Councilmember Thomas, real soon.
8:27 am
I don't only want him out, I want him punished. First, keisha. above, should have at him for a while and then we should all meet down by the river, at the foot of the 14th Street Bridge, and bring plenty of old pillows for feathers. I will bring five gallons of tar. We apply this mixture to him and then dump him off the bridge.
Oh, and fire him first so he quickly defaults on everything.
8:28 am
When even noodles can't provide a non-schitzophrenic defense for Thomas, you know the man is in trouble.
8:57 am
Shorter and less profane noodlez = distraction and diversion.
9:37 am
I personally know HTJ from way back and this guy will never admit to any wrongdoing and will never resign. He has waited his whole life to be on the council (with hopes of one day to be mayor) and has never had a real job except a short stint as PA Director at DC General...but that's another story. Truth hurts and Wendy have it right about this guy. It is also interesting how, when HTJ gets what he felt was always his (to be CM ward 5), he self destructs. Now that his true character is out for all to see, it is best to be rid of him quickly and for the City to heal and move on. Harry Thomas Jr is and will more than likely always be a Con-man, a patholigical liar, and a cheat. Better a psyche ward at HU (if not prison) than have this dude thinking he is the smartest guy in the room everywhere he goes.
9:47 am
Why isn't the Lomax/Fenty/Banneker parks/rec centers contracts and Lew's school buildings imbroglio about 30 time$ more $erious a hit on the children than the Thomas debacle...? Improperly or insufficiently documented spending is a far cry from criminal. Nickles/Fenty "settled" the big contract claims and saved the legal firepower for this cheap scheme. Now look what you're all paying attention to instead of...
9:56 am
Saying that Harry Thomas "manned up" and returned the money with no further consequences is like allowing a bank robber to return the loot and ask everyone please to "move on" and "look to the future." Sorry, there's gotta' be some penalty for stealing from the taxpayers. Even the PG County council had the guts finally to force Leslie Johnson out.
10:19 am
The odds of Brown being prosecuted for a crime after settling w/the AG is slim to none.
So let's stop being silly.
Yes, it's time for him to resign. And I agree, no..councilmembers should not be the one calling for him to do so.
If the AG wanted to persue criminal charges, he should have. He didn't.
10:21 am
Wells called for Thomas to resign last night on his website. So that's some more ammunition for the nut job commenters on here who like to cry racism in defense of a criminal.
10:31 am
This ain't nothing but a bunch of hot mess!!! I thought they were all on vacation or something. I not mad at those who are calling for Harry-T's resignation but for some strange reason, I am perplexed at those who are awkwardly quiet.
The words alone of "he stole from children" is enough to make anyone cringe.
@dc5, you're correct the Lew fiasco is coming to light more and more while he was head of OPEFM. Just plainly put it as, Lew "robbed little peter to pay little paul" and in due time we will ALL be broke for it.
10:33 am
If this were done by any of the other 99.9% of the people in this city, they would be fired and sent to jail. Really, does anyone reading this think they themselves could embezzle over $350,000 from their own place of work and if caught not get fired and prosecuted as a criminal?
It should be taken for granted he pays that money back. But in no way should he still be in any position where he can directly or indirectly influence where your and my tax dollars go. The DC Council needs to ensure that not only does Mr Thomas not have his own committee chair, but that he doesn't sit or have a vote on any other council committee. The Council should also censure him.
Beyond that, Ward 5 has a lot of genuinely good people in it. These folks can handle their own recall, and field their own slate for a new CM in a special election.
11:23 am
I feel sorry for his family. Im sure they have sacrificed a lot for him to maintain his status over the years during the council. Now the Thomas name is tainted in the community their legacy claims to have helped tremendously.
-TheAngryVoter
11:25 am
@Drez; I agree.
12:25 pm
dc5
Your are..... in the words of Maury's greatest episodes, 1000% correct!
Absolutely HT should be dealt with.....but surely not BEFORE or a second after that previous BAND OF THIEVES!
12:42 pm
Black preachers in DC and PeeGee County please do not pray for Harry Tee and do not ask your brethren to give money to his defense fund. May, I ask all who have profited off the DC taxpayers with Harry Thomas' blessing to give back some of the loot you over billed us for,please crooked ones especially?
1:55 pm
Thank you, dc5 and seDCdude for continuing the drumbeat on the parks and rec contracts and the shameful looting of the schools' modernization budget under Fenty/Lomax/Lew.
http://dcauditor.org/DCA/Reports/OPEFM%20Report%205_11_11.pdf
As I pointed out to "Truthy" yesterday, in the "F**k the kids!" department, Harry Thomas doesn't hold a candle to that crew. [OPEFM motto: "F**k the kids... as fast as humanly possible!"]
2:00 pm
Ward 6 Tommy Wells is requesting that Harry Thomas Jr. should resign from office. I know, my Ward 7 Councilmember Yvette Alexander will not request Thomas resignation. I want to say another name, but I know Tony is watching and reading. I made a promise to my wife and Tony, no name calling of the Ward 7 Councilmember. LOL
2:37 pm
Tommy "nobody puts baby in the Corner" Wells you the media to sound like Keilis screaming "I hate you soooo much right now" to KB needs to shut his trap.
Tommy didn't say a "peep" when the former admin rob the District blind. Matter Fact Tommy "nobody puts baby in the Corner" Wells needs to own up to what he has done to the business one "H" street. AND the campaign bundling HE received. Tommy is nothing more than that punk who watches a fight and then jump onto the person's back when after the first puch has been thrown. Punk!
Cheh too. Stop bending to the media. David Catania and other at-large members can comment because they represent ALL Wards.
Now for the record It doesn't look good for Harry but let's allow "due process".
@Tony this mofo's aint playing...it's is war.
2:37 pm
should be "use" to the media
3:11 pm
LL wrote, The Council’s Code of Ethics demands that members act solely in the public interest and not for any personal gain."
The Council's Code and DC Law also required Jim Graham to immediately report corruption to the AG and JIm didn't. The FBI, not Graham busted his staffer's, Ted, and Graham never said a word until a year later when the FBI disclosed its sting operation.
Why wasn't Graham held to the same Council code of Ethics and why didn't the council investigate him; call for his resignation or censor Graham?
This is the same old shit, but a different era!
5:56 pm
From what I've been reading, Tommy Wells needs to lay low because there have been some serious allegations made about Wells funneling money to his bar boys on H Street.
After being kicked in the ass by ALL his colleagues, Wells has yet to learn how to make calculated decisions that are not based emotions.
6:08 pm
@ seDCdude,
Love, love, your comment #22! You are absolutely correct, not only must it be televised but, we gotta have our own resources to get the message out because the media's manipulation of the truth is to our detriment.
Miles Davis said, "when you are creating you own shit even the sky ain't the limit", and for it to be televised we gotta own and control it.
6:15 pm
Hey tommy boy:
Take a flying leap you walking-embarrassment to this
city!!!!!! You are worse than your booze-hound daddy!!!
BOHICA baby!!!!
1:30 am
If HT resigns, then DC must begin with the release of Evans, Graham, Catania THEFT. Are have some of you, and press forget.
The only concern we have, is the fact that Ayana Chase-Webster used these funds, and her name has not been called. Is it because her hubby and she meet w/ the AG on this matter, and have agreed to pay their portion back.