Harry Gets His Groove Back
At the end of last week’s legislative session, the District’s lawmakers started talking about high school football.
What a shame, some councilmembers said, that past winners of the city’s annual Turkey Bowl—the city’s football championship game—have had issues getting the District to buy them championship jackets.
The councilmember who seemed most energized by the issue was Ward 5’s Harry Thomas Jr., who said it was high time the city got its act together to “ensure” student athletes in all sports “get what they deserve.”
In past years, Thomas said, he and other councilmembers have had to dip into constituent service funds (which, you may recall, are barely regulated piles of money to which big developers and other folks with an interest in city business are free to contribute) to pay for things like rings and jackets for winning teams.
“There should be no way that we always have to come up and step up to the plate,” says Thomas. “It should be a process where they are guaranteed their jackets, their rings and the respect that comes with a city title.”
If any other politician had made such a speech, it wouldn’t have been noteworthy. After all, no politician ever went wrong advocating in favor of winning high school football programs, even if the current solution—politicians use their own funds to pay for jackets—could suit the city’s budget situation better.
But Thomas’ speechfying in favor of increased spending on youth sports is remarkable both for its subject and its subtext. The irony of Thomas’s mini-diatribe isn’t hard to spot: This very same man is under federal investigation for allegedly steering into his own pocket more than $300,000 in city funds earmarked for kids’ sports. An organization he controlled spent the money, according to the D.C. attorney general and Thomas’ bank records, on a $69,000 SUV, high-priced golf trips, and at least one meal at Hooters, among other things.
And the subtext of Thomas’ speech last week was hard to miss too: Thomas, who at times appeared shell-shocked and withdrawn at the beginning of this summer, is back at full force. It seems his new rallying cry is: To hell with his critics and whatever demons of self-doubt might come with staring down the barrel of a federal indictment.
“He’s definitely trying to put forth an image that he’s unconcerned,” says Councilmember David Catania, who has called for Thomas’ resignation.
It’s not always been that way.
On the day the attorney general filed his civil suit in June, Thomas’ response was all bluster. He was innocent, he said at a news conference outside the Wilson Building, and had the details that would clear his name. But a month later, he agreed to pay the city $300,000 to settle the suit. Instead of a news conference, Thomas issued a meek statement saying the management of his nonprofit hadn’t been done with “the discipline and strenuous rigors” needed.
Thomas’s attendance at the Wilson Building dropped off noticeably after the civil suit was filed. He went from being a consistent presence to hardly ever showing up.
When three councilmembers called on Thomas to resign in wake of the settlement, his response was to forward an email from a supporter to the entire council asking them to follow their “moral compass” and not rush to judgment.
Around the same time, Thomas appeared to be trying to pump himself up on his Facebook account.
“I realized that worry never changed the outcome of anything I was worried about,” Thomas wrote on his wall, shortly before the settlement was reached.
Mayor Vince Gray, a political ally and friend of Thomas’, told the Post in July that Thomas “seems a bit withdrawn at this stage. I don’t hear from him as much as I did.”
Continued the mayor: “In fact, the last time I saw him, he said, ‘I guess we all have our ways of compensating. It’s given me a lot of time to do some things around the house that I’ve been putting off; I cleaned up my whole basement today.’”
But Thomas’ days of crossing off items from his honey-do list appear behind him. A few weeks ago, Thomas was one of the most vocal supporters of the mayor’s plan to increase income taxes on the wealthy. Thomas repeatedly talked about the inequalities in the District and the city’s responsibilities to look after the less fortunate. (Never mind that there’s no evidence that his nonprofit organization, which was never tax-exempt, paid any taxes.)
For his part, Thomas says there’s no truth to the idea that’s he more energized of late. “I haven’t changed at all,” Thomas tells LL. “I’m going to be consistent ’til the end.”
And that’s nothing but bad news for the mayor, who is stuck between a rock and a hard place when it comes to Thomas. Like most D.C. politicians, the mayor appears to have made the political calculation that the cost of calling on Thomas to resign was higher than the cost of saying nothing. Part of the risk-reward ratio, as with just about every issue in D.C. politics, involves race; there’s a sense in some parts of the city that black politicians like Thomas are unfairly being attacked.
On a purely political level, it’s hard to quibble with the mayor’s choice. Why risk alienating the African-American base that got him elected (and a 52-point margin of victory in Ward 5)? That may not be courageous leadership, but smart politicians know which battles to avoid.
But in recent days we’ve seen that Gray’s safe bet still comes at a cost.
The Post editorial page penned a series of articles last week detailing the political machinations involved in awarding the city’s grass cutting contracts. The Post strongly suggested that the mayor was improperly trying to steer contracts to a local business that has ties to Thomas. The Gray administration pushed back hard, saying the paper is engaged in fiction writing and the mayor was simply trying to make sure that city-owned businesses could compete for city contracts.
An exasperated Chris Murphy, Gray’s new chief of staff, held a conference call with reporters where he said the Post was intent on looking for a “bogeyman where it doesn’t exist.”
Indeed, so far a marathon council hearing and internal Gray administration emails made public don’t point to anything on the mayor’s part worth getting too excited over. But Murphy is wrong about the Post looking for a non-existent bogeyman. The paper has one: Harry Thomas Jr., and even a whiff of his possible involvement is enough to turn a so-so story on grass cutting contracts into a much more exciting read at 15th and L. The Post ran four editorials in one week hammering the mayor on the grass cutting contracts, and Thomas played a prominent role in each one.
For now, that’s probably a hit the mayor is okay taking; after all, the Post ed board backed Adrian Fenty against Gray last year, and all that got for Fenty was more time to train for triathlons. But as Thomas becomes more emboldened, expect the price of Gray’s silence to add up. And if an indictment comes, as many expect it will, then expect even more pressure for the mayor to do some political recalculating.
Photo by Darrow Montgomery
Got a tip for LL? Send suggestions to lips@washingtoncitypaper.com. Or call (202) 650-6951.
6:33 pm
Harry Thomas, Jr. must Go. And dont forget about Langston Golf Courses Jimmy Garvin.
6:44 pm
POLITICAL CALCULATIONS.
Not ..... Leadership. Character. Integrity.
That was just a campaign slogan.
8:20 pm
Was HTJ experiencing dementia or alzheimers
8:58 pm
One City. Fifth Amendment. Zero Standards. Three more years.
9:40 pm
Thomas ratchets up his score on the sentencing guidelines the longer he continues being a shameless, greedy, arrogant prick.
He'll reverse course, accept full responsibility, apologize, and beg for mercy when it's time for sentencing. Arrogant, shameless prick.
9:42 pm
Mr. Thomas might as well stick a fork in himself.....
because he is DONE!
@native_resident@ your boy Jimmy Garvin is acting like nothing never happened. He is still running the show
at Langston. Does he have any pending charges? Is he
the city witness against Thomas? What is the deal with this? Let a sista know the deal???
10:44 pm
Shameless prick, yes he is!
10:54 pm
You whiners just don't understand how DC works! It's disrespectful to Mr. Thomas to ignore all that he has done for so long for the Community. As Mr. Barry, always our Fo'ever Mayor says, "to the victors belong the spoils."
Don't forget: One City means never having to say you're sorry. Stop trashin' DC!
11:14 pm
Harry Thomas Jr is a thief and a cheat. He is a terrible council member who cares little about his ward or the residents concerns. I know this first hand as a current resident of ward 5. We've had shootings, drug dealing, and car thefts and Thomas doesn't seem the least bit concern. He's acted more like it's a burden for him to respond to his constituents. This man is a hustler to the full effect and he hustled his way into office. I cannot wait until the opportunity presents itself to launch and or sign a recall petition. Ayawna Chase Webster and the rest of his staff should be ousted as well.
8:59 am
The councilmember who seemed most energized by the issue was Ward 5’s Harry Thomas Jr., who said it was high time the city got its act together to “ensure” student athletes in all sports “get what they deserve.”
Seriously? Wow, HTJ is even dumber than he looks. Atty Machen, please hurry up!
9:01 am
And Oh yeah, in case anyone forgot:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/afge/4684697885/
10:41 am
Dude is a sociopath with no conscience at all. He believes whatever he says at the moment and fully expects everyone to believe it too...no matter how insolent the remark. The city lives in his world...it's all about him.
11:14 am
Profile of the Sociopath
Glibness and Superficial Charm
Manipulative and Conning
They never recognize the rights of others and see their self-serving behaviors as permissible. They appear to be charming, yet are covertly hostile and domineering, seeing their victim as merely an instrument to be used. They may dominate and humiliate their victims.
Grandiose Sense of Self
Feels entitled to certain things as "their right."
Pathological Lying
Has no problem lying coolly and easily and it is almost impossible for them to be truthful on a consistent basis. Can create, and get caught up in, a complex belief about their own powers and abilities. Extremely convincing and even able to pass lie detector tests.
Lack of Remorse, Shame or Guilt
A deep seated rage, which is split off and repressed, is at their core. Does not see others around them as people, but only as targets and opportunities. Instead of friends, they have victims and accomplices who end up as victims. The end always justifies the means and they let nothing stand in their way.
Shallow Emotions
When they show what seems to be warmth, joy, love and compassion it is more feigned than experienced and serves an ulterior motive. Outraged by insignificant matters, yet remaining unmoved and cold by what would upset a normal person. Since they are not genuine, neither are their promises.
Incapacity for Love
Need for Stimulation
Living on the edge. Verbal outbursts and physical punishments are normal. Promiscuity and gambling are common.
Callousness/Lack of Empathy
Unable to empathize with the pain of their victims, having only contempt for others' feelings of distress and readily taking advantage of them.
Poor Behavioral Controls/Impulsive Nature
Rage and abuse, alternating with small expressions of love and approval produce an addictive cycle for abuser and abused, as well as creating hopelessness in the victim. Believe they are all-powerful, all-knowing, entitled to every wish, no sense of personal boundaries, no concern for their impact on others.
Early Behavior Problems/Juvenile Delinquency
Usually has a history of behavioral and academic difficulties, yet "gets by" by conning others. Problems in making and keeping friends; aberrant behaviors such as cruelty to people or animals, stealing, etc.
Irresponsibility/Unreliability
Not concerned about wrecking others' lives and dreams. Oblivious or indifferent to the devastation they cause. Does not accept blame themselves, but blames others, even for acts they obviously committed.
Promiscuous Sexual Behavior/Infidelity
Promiscuity, child sexual abuse, rape and sexual acting out of all sorts.
Lack of Realistic Life Plan/Parasitic Lifestyle
Tends to move around a lot or makes all encompassing promises for the future, poor work ethic but exploits others effectively.
Criminal or Entrepreneurial Versatility
Changes their image as needed to avoid prosecution. Changes life story readily.
11:36 am
This is a waste of your trees for this article. The bottom point is that Harry Thomas must go you take from individual who needed the help for your own use. Steeling from your own to show the "Jones" is not good.
12:06 pm
Harry Thomas Jr. is another corrupt politician. His ass needs to go right into a jail cell.
12:32 pm
Maybe Hermain Cain will move,uh get elected to Prez of these United States and forever change DEC politics and the nation. I say give that BLACK conservative a try at office and maybe we get to witness the demise of the unwise elected "bLeaders" in our city and PeeGee too.
3:56 pm
Why is it that 99% of the people making comments here are afraid to use their real names? It is time for the U.S. Attorney to bring an indictment in on Harry Thomas, Jr. and then give Mr. Thomas his day in court.
If he is found innocent fine, but if he is found guilty then the punishment should be severe including losing his seat on the Council.
4:54 pm
Out of 17 posts (now 18) not one supports Harry Thomas, Jr. He knows it is time for him to go, but sociopath that he is he will not leave on his on volition. Post 12 & 13 are absolutely on point.
HTJ has hustled his way through for all these years that he is delusional enough to think this issue will just fade away. It won't go away and we will not forget. There are are just 10 weeks before 2012 (and recall time) arrives. Let's not just talk about him, let's recall him.
5:08 pm
@Peter Rosenstein.
Because it's a web blog and we don't have to.
It's like asking "why don't women always wear panty hose"
They don't have to.
5:50 pm
@One that cares:
LOLOL... HJT may be the lead sociopath, but he certainly has robust competition from some of his council colleagues. Mr. Rosenstein's rep comes immediately to mind.
6:34 pm
There is a terrible sadness/illness when I think of the people in DC who are responsible for children and how we have gone along with -child abuse. This includes DCPS teachers and administrators who have not taught children to read, write and do arithmetic.
Does the mother of Mr. Thomas think that this fund was put to good use for the children in the District of Columbia?Should we put childre first or ....put ourselves first?
9:09 am
@HonestAbe--Where do you live in NE? Everytime I called Harry Thomas's office about trouble in my neighborhood, I received help. He has a very on-hands staff and he also personally answers calls from his constituents. Yes he made a hefty mistake, but he's always hands-on in the community.
9:13 am
The wheels of justice tend to move slowly, but don't let Thomas's bluster fool you. The Feds are going to crucify that guy, and Thomas ignoring the fact that he is going to a federal, "pound me in the a$$" prison for his crimes isn't going to change the outcome.
2:00 pm
Thomas just isn't using his constituent services fund to satisfy the right constituents!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/09/AR2005100901584.html
6:23 pm
DeBarr
Are you a paid member of his staff or entourage? You are about the only person that I know who has said he's responsive. His challengers for his council seat in the last election all cited this as a major reason in their decision to run, and that's being responsive to residents. I can only go by my own experiences, but if you come in my neighborhood, the name HTJ is not a good one. Maybe you can share your secret with me as to how you were able to get him to be so responsive to you.
6:25 pm
While you're at it, ask him if he's willing to step down for stealing $300k! Ask him to respond to residents wanting to know why he did it and why he will not resign.