HTJ Started Stealing Right Away
Ward 5 Councilmember Harry Thomas Jr. was a crook from the very beginning. The statement of offense that Thomas agreed was true today in federal court outlines how Thomas began stealing city money just months after he put his hand on a bible and swore to represent the same council seat his late father had held. The court records also show that Thomas had plenty of help. As U.S. Attorney Ron Machen hinted at a news conference today, there could be more heads to roll in this sordid mess.
Much of Thomas' illegal behavior has already been documented by D.C. Attorney General Irv Nathan, who sued Thomas in a civil case this summer. From Nathan's case we knew that Thomas had directed $400,000 in city funds to be sent to the Children & Youth Investment Trust Corporation to fund sporting activities for inner city youths, which awarded a grant to Langston 21st Century Foundation, which sent most of that money to Thomas, who spent that money on an Audi SUV and golf trips. Today we learned that Thomas actually did set up some youth sporting activities, like a day camp at Charles Young Elementary School. But the money for those came from the city's Department of Parks and Recreation, while Thomas spent the grant money on himself. (He was chairman of the council committee that oversaw DPR at the time.)
We also learned today that Thomas used the same pass-through scheme with two other unnamed organizations. After Thomas won his first election to the Ward 5 seat, but before he was sworn in, he met with the head of a for-profit company that provides "arts-oriented youth programs" to discuss ways of getting city funds for the company. In April 2007, the fourth month of his tenure, Thomas told the head of the company that he could get it $60,000. The two agreed, court records say, to give Thomas a cut of $15,000. In July of that year, Thomas directed the CYITC to pay the company. The company wound up paying Thomas $25,000, court records show.
The statement of offense also shows that Thomas used yet another unnamed organization in 2009 to pad his pocket. On Aug. 8, 2009, Thomas directed the CYITC to send this third organization $10,000 for a "summer program." This time, Thomas' price had gone up: His cut was 50 percent. The court records also show that Thomas used that same organization to funnel $110,000 from CYITC to the D.C. Young Democrats to help cover the costs of the 51st State Inaugural Ball, a celebration of President Barack Obama's inauguration that was held at the Wilson Building and organized by Thomas. The former councilmember's cut of that money was $7,500 for unnamed expenses related to the ball.
Just who are these unnamed people and organizations that did business with the disgraced pol? LL is working to find out and will report more shortly.
Photo By Darrow Montgomery
7:17 pm
Romaine must be so proud of her boy. She will probably have to leave town and change her name to "Iceberg".
Harry Thomas always knew this one was too stupid for prime time.
7:17 pm
I say again, DAMN! DAMN! DAMN!
CYITC turned a blind eye to improper funding; money going to DCYD's?! C'mon, son! Even if you have to report as an anonymous whistleblower, report it & have a clear conscience! For shame!
9:31 pm
Who had oversight of CYIT during all this? None other than Ward 6 Councilmember Tommy Wells.
Where is the outrage against him for failing to do his job? @IMGOPH? @CCCA PREZ? Love the double standard, suckas.
8:36 am
@ Davis
Exactly, but trust HTJ is the fall guy who needless to say is a common thief, but he's definitely not all alone!
WCP will NOT report that, and if they do Wells' will not have 30 articles and a 100 illustrations attached!
9:37 am
It's time to get rid of Kwame Brown (and Vincent Gray) too and start reshaping city politics with new blood. Not the lame bible thumping, SUV driving, materialistic idiots devoid of true soul who loot this city and use their "native" Washingtonian credentials to convince and trick everyone else that somehow they can run and manage the city better. Kwame may know a lot of people and is "likeable". But that's it. He has below average intelligence and misdirected values. The SUV incident was indicative of an idiotic and destructive set of priorities that is holding this city back. Fenty wasn't much better and I view lethargic Gray simply in terms of a bridge to our next great Mayor. And it ain't you, Kwame.
9:59 am
I have in the past said give him the benefit of the doubt....but the more I read the state's attorney's report I really want him under the jail.
And people think he will ever be able to run again? I will personally run, buy add time for the opposing candidate. He used not just his own organization but made a shell company of a political youth organization. One he should have cared about to much to do that tooo...
11:45 am
I don't understand how people like Cherita Whiting and others can showed up at the federal court house to support Harry Thomas, Jr. after he admited to stealing $300,000.
I understand supporting friends, but should I support a murderer, theif, and rapists?
Harry Thomas, Jr. admited to stealing the $300,000. I found out the so called Ethics legislation passed by the D.C. council would allow an ex-felon like Harry Thomas, Jr. to run for public office in the District of Columbia.
I look forward to a federal takeover of the District by Congress.
11:50 am
Robert Vinson Brannum and Cherita Whiting both were at the federal court house in support of Harry Thomas, Jr. How can these 2 and others support this guy who has admitted to stealing $300,000?
Cherita Whiting is an ex-felon herself and I am not surprised by her actions.
11:57 am
Harry Thomas has admitted that he engaged in a lapse of judgment and committed an illegal act for which he is willing to take full responsibility. While, I can't condone his illegal actions, I am not going to condemn him.
GOOD LUCK HARRY!
What bothers me is how quickly black folks are willing to turn on their own as soon as they get in trouble. Harry Thomas did what every politician in this city do. He played the game. He like others used his political influence for personal gain. He like others became more interested in the trappings of the office than executing the duties of the office. Black folks especially the political insiders clearly understand what I am saying. All politicians play the game. And I am not going to condemn the man for playing the game. Especially, since there are people on the city council who have engaged in the worst form of public corruption for decades with the blessings and support of the establishment. The same establishment which has now launched a blistering attack on this city's black leadership. The sad part about it is that black folks don't care. And that's why Jim Graham is coasting along while Harry is going to Jail. That's why David Catania can get paid a quarter of a million dollars from a business whose survival depends on getting city contracts and no one say a damn word. That's why Kwame Brown is looking over his shoulders while Tommy Wells is preparing to replace him. That's why nearly every black city council member in this city is under some form investigation including the Mayor.
1:14 pm
^ Well, look who's talking about the color of thier skin and not the content of thier charicter.
Sad. Just Sad.
1:38 pm
@Drez, Whats sad is that nearly every single black politician in this city is under some form investigation. Whats sad is that, we still live in a society that turns a blind eye to white politicians corruption but is eager to send a black pol to jail. Whats sad is that Harry Thomas is going to jail but Jim Graham, who was complicit in a scheme to shake down a corporate interest which netted his chief of staff a prison term, is not. Whats sad is that David Catania secretly collected 250,ooo.oo dollars from a company that does big business with the city and no one said a damn word. Whats sad is that white folks are now urging the feds to step up their efforts against Kwame Brown so that Tommy Wells can become the next Chair. Whats sad is that far too many black folks are tricked into believing that corruption in this city started and will end with black pols going to jail. Whats sad is that there's rules for ya'll and rules for us,period.
2:37 pm
The AG and OAG have evidence that HTJ broke the law.
They either do not have or have not yet acted on similar evidence concerning those whom you write about. If you do, feel free to share.
You can rationalize or imply or whatever you want, but it comes down to that simple fact.
3:09 pm
Knock me over with a tail feather. I wanted to believe HT got caught up, but now after reading the charging documents...he schemed?! Too sad. Many more shoes will drop behind this one. More had to be complicit in these criminal dealings. Fasten your seat belts DC residents.
3:39 pm
@Drez, exactly.
@Davison, Umm, ok. You do realize that our current mayor destroyed the largest agency in DC (DHS) during his first failed turn as an executive, right? And you're going after Wells - who was in a less active oversight capacity ?
Sadly, Wells's oversight failure here may be a good career move - screwing up DHS certainly seems to have worked out for Vince.
4:31 pm
tony's great patron and friend is now off to jail, which will make it harder for her to throw around her not inconsiderable weight (which, alas, does not take the place of logic or even an understanding of the reality of this situation). Corruption is race neutral and Tommy seems to have immediately turned his office into a kleptocracy. Why is that idiotic old man Neal still drawing a DC government paycheck? Bagmen and accomplices should be punished as well.
Tony - an understanding of reality begins at home. Ask your hubby if the name Kathy Ricard means anything special. Should be an interesting conversation. And start kissing up to Tommy if you want to continue making mischief!
4:32 pm
Is it necessary for Anonymous to talk about Mrs. Romaine Thomas. She has nothing to do with Harry Thomas Jr. making a decision to steal more $500K from the City. Why are you making fun of her name and hiding behind anonymity?
6:28 pm
And everyone wonders why DC does not have statehood??? This hurts us (those that live and love living in DC) more and more everyday.
8:43 pm
tony
Are you saying it's okay that an elected official, a role model has stolen your tax dollars? That it's okay because "White Folks" get away with more. That may or may not be true man, but in no way shape or form can I have any type of sympathy for this dude whatsoever. Greed clouded his mind and now he has to pay the consequences. Now we know why this man didn't give a damn about his constituents, and hired and maintained a terrible staff. They were simply a reflection of their boss.
7:25 am
tony = old time dc racist. I remember you guys growing up here. Bye bye!
8:35 am
tony's prime patron is now preparing for the iron door spa. Maybe for a 21st century remake of "The longest yard"?. Everything is a conspiracy to her and a bizarre sense of entitlement and retrograde paranoia (anyone remember the plan?) inform almost everything she does. But without the threat of going to the council when she's mad, it's hard to see what cards she has left. Since she seems to think stealing is OK, an audit of the AFSCME local seems like a good idea. But the real problem now becomes Neil. Again, he sat on drug dealing and other malfeasance while at DPR. Acted as Harry's bag man for the checks from CYITC. Continues to draw both a salary and a pension. Why did they do this for him? This kind of cronyism pervades the top level of the council and the executive branch. I sincerely hope Machen (who, BTW appears to be black) keeps going with the investigation. Bag men and accomplices should be next.
10:49 am
I agree 100% with libraryunionmember..
10:54 am
YAWN...I expected this overkill from media outlets like WCP..Of course Black leadership will be demonized unlike white corrupt candidates the entire black culture will be indicted...The liberal interests which seek to make DC a swirl venue instead of a chocolate one will exploit this saga as well..
Instead of an entire edition focused on the more life altering reality of disparate suspensions in school districts in the DC region we get the salivating mash up of a corrupt public official..
YAWN
10:55 am
I stand by position that Harry Thomas and other black politicians are being unfairly targeted for political annihilation in the name of good and clean governance.
It's very disingenuous for white liberals to suggest that good and clean government can only be realized with the extermination of black leadership. And, to all you silly negros, that's exactly what they are saying. And that's why, only black leaders are being targeted although white politicians in this town are guilty of the same thing if not worst. It's absolutely inconceivable for anyone to profess to be in favor of clean and good government and then justify and excuse corrupt white politicians and condemn corrupt black politicians. And this is exactly what's going on in this city. No, the motivation behind destroying this city "corrupt" black leaders is not rooted in a genuine effort to clean up government. Rather, it's rooted in that ole racist belief held by too many whites that black governance in general is inherently insufficient and bad.
11:14 am
@Honest Abe, now that Harry Thomas is gone. I will like you and other blacks to spend the same energy going after people like David Catania. Because, remember you are interested in clean and good government, right? Of course.
11:26 am
@NE John,writes: tony = old time dc racist. I remember you guys growing up here. Bye bye
This racist and anti-black statement made by a white man who admits that he is goddless,represents an attitude held by many too whites in this city. It's an attitude that brought down Harry Thomas and now threatens other black leaders. In fact, it's an attitude that threatens the black community in this city. It's an attitude that black folks must confront and defeat.
12:11 pm
It is a travesty and truly unfortunate that Graham and Catania continue to serve. Where there is smoke there is usually fire. I believe Graham realizes his luck has run out and will not run again. Catania should do the right thing and resign from MC Dean. Our friend Tony STILL thinks it's cool to steal money. And she seems to be encouraging another kind of prejudice and bigotry. Neither of these gentleman egregiously diverted federal money for the purchase of blingtastic rides. Neither used their staff simply as messengers, bag men, accomplices, and flunkies to divert funds Both perform some level of oversight, whereas Harry's performance was abysmal - how could he represent his ward while he essentially had a full time job stealing? I hate to say it, but perhaps Tony was the recipient of some of these ill gotten gains and that is why she is so strident in her defense? Oh also that she is a racist and a bigot.
12:20 pm
black political power lives!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
12:30 pm
@libraryunionmember writes:It is a travesty and truly unfortunate that Graham and Catania continue to serve. Where there is smoke there is usually fire. I believe Graham realizes his luck has run out and will not run again. Catania should do the right thing and resign from MC Dean.
See at @honest abe, read the excuses that are provided by whites for corrupt white politicians. It goes something like this : You see their conduct is bad but not that bad. Their crimes are wrong but so what. Yeah, maybe they did bad things but it's going to be ok. But, when it comes to Harry Thomas and other black politicians jail is the right punishment and forgiveness is laughable.
Now, this is what you call racist!!!!!!
However, the black community and black folks are strong, and we will survive.
BLACK POLITICAL POWER LIVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
12:33 pm
As a black man living in the district I can only say...If he didn't steal the money, there would be nothing to investigate!!! It has nothing to do with him being black or there being a witch hunt. HE STOLE MONEY!!! True, there may be others who are doing the same or similar and have yet to be charged with crimes, but the bottom line is that HE STOLE MONEY!!!
1:06 pm
I have just been informed that Neil Rodgers was fired by CM Brown on Friday evening. Now, our attention turns to Millicent West. Has she done a deal with Machen yet?
What about Harry's (aka Tommy) other staff members?
(for those keeping track Machen, the prosecutor, is black. CM brown is black. Neil is black. Millicent is black)
1:10 pm
noodlez, you wouldn't be referring to Kevin B "Are you a cop"? Chavous, would you? He does seem cut from the same ethical cloth as marion, harry, et. al.
4:04 pm
@noodlez
glad to know there are young men and women in line to step up. So long as they're smart and kind and honest they'll get my vote.
Butfuck HTJ and poverty pimp assholes like him.
They do everyone wrong.
7:31 pm
@tony @noodlez
You are both racist cowards. Too scared to admit the real problems in your community and eager to blame anyone but yourselves. People like you foment racial hatred and provide nutjob whites with throngs of supporters.
8:00 pm
YO MIKEY-HAVE YOU BEEN PAYING ATTENTION OR ARE YOU JUST BLURTING OUT SHIT?
TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR COMMENT DUMB ASS!
YOU CALL ME A RACIST COWARD BUT CALL WHITES NUTJOBS.
THIS IS THE SAME DISPARITY THAT WHITE COUNCILMEMBERS ARE AFFORDED.
SO BASICALLY FROM YOUR COMMENT YOU ARE A WHITE NUTJOB!
8:47 pm
noodlezz, do you think it is OK to steal $350,000? What color were the kids this money was meant to help? What color were all the people who helped in this?
9:42 pm
noodles, regarding Tim Day, whom you disparage because because he is gay (I'll ignore that for now), and happen to examine information regarding his opponent in a political election - a fundamental democratic function - I believe this information would be readily available to anyone in the public. Additionally, he is an accountant, and thus would know how to "account" for the funds in question. This is the way things are supposed to work, except that accounting in the District is nonexistent as they did not identify the wholesale theft by HTJ of our funds.
9:46 pm
noodles: "THOSE TRANSIENT WHITE FOLK WHO ARE HERE BECAUSE THEY ARE HIDING THEIR SEXUALITY FROM THEIR PARENTS, WHO ARE HERE BECAUSE THEY CANT FIND A JOB ELSEWHERE AND MYOPIC LIL TWITTYS' CAN SQUAWK ALL THEY WANT ABOUT HTJ GETTING CAUGHT UP. THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THEY WILL NEVER BE THE POWER POLITICAL FORCE THAT THEY SET OUT OR DREAM TO BE!"
Ha ha ha read Courtland Milloy's commentary today:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/after-thomas-resignation-theres-no-trust-left-to-restore-on-dc-council/2012/01/08/gIQAdWHvjP_story.html
9:47 pm
Prepare to become marginalized old school DC racists
10:14 pm
NE john- thanks for the courtland milloy link. Hadn't read it. He got it exactly right.
8:09 am
I am amazed - Courtland finally got something right from his perch out in PGC. ALLCAPS is going to be distraught.
Also, reading through these comments was rough - you can actually see tony losing his mind as the thread progresses.
@LUM, way to take tony and co's indefensible nonsense to the woodshed. Good to have a new voice calling out their old school bs.
Anyway, it's been fun, everyone. Chat with you at the next perp walk!
Blevins out.
10:13 am
Please leave Millicent out of this, she did nothing wrong.
11:25 am
As a Black man, I am more than outraged at HTJ and this whole situation. Any Black person who is not outraged needs a reality check. We need to stop blaming the media and deflecting to White politicians. We need to hold our Black politicians to the highest reasonable standard. Look at the facts that HTJ admitted to. A Black CM stole money that was targeted to poor or disadvantaged Black kids. He deprived them of potential opportunities so that he could drive around in an Audi truck and buy a motorcycle. That is low! Dude stole from the folks who most needed it – Black youth. People he is supposed to represent and advocate for. Who knows? That money could have helped kids who were struggling and really needed intervention. Top that off, I participated in a couple fundraisers for Jimmy Garvin’s organization myself. So I am doubly pissed!!
I am sorry…but that is a MUCH bigger deal to me than some White CM taking a bribe from the taxi industry to influence legislation.
11:29 am
Southeast Ken, you really are obssessed with Cherita. You can't do a post without mentioning her. What does it matter to you what she does or who she supports!
11:29 am
@LIBRARY- FIRST OF ALL ANY MALE OR FEMALE UNDER THE AGE OF 18 YRS OF AGE IS CONSIDERED A CHILD TO ME. I DON’T GIVE A DAMN WHAT COLOR THEY ARE! CHILDREN NORMALLY DON’T HAVE A VOICE AND AS RESPONSIBLE ADULTS IT IS OUR JOB TO PROTECT, GUIDE AND EDUCATE THEM IN A WAY THAT WILL MAKE THEM RECIPROCATE WHEN THEY GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO AND WITH OUT HESITATION!
THIS IS MY BEEF WITH HTJ! HE KNEW BETTER! HE WENT 180 INSTEAD OF MAINTANING COURSE. I DON’T GIVE SHIT ABOUT THE $300K. THAT’S RECOVERABLE. THE LIVES THAT WERE IMPACTED BY IT ARE DAMAGED. THAT IS MY CONCERN.
I WOULDN’T BE SURPRISED THAT EVERY LOCAL POL ACCEPTS MONEY THEY SHOULDN’T TAKE. IF I HAVE TO BET ON ONE PERSON THAT IS ON THE COUNCIL THAT MAYBE BE CLEAN IT WOULD BE MENDO. THE ISSUE IS EVANS (WHO IS WHITE) IS GETTING A PASS LIKE HIS HANDS ARE CLEAN; GAYTANIA (WHO IS WHITE) IS WORKING AND HAVE WORKED FOR COMPANIES THAT CONTINUE TO GET MAJOR CONTRACTS AND LETS NOT EVEN TALK ABOUT GRAHAM (WHO IS WHITE) WHO ALL OF A SUDDEN DIDN’T ACCEPT THE MONEY WHEN THE FEDS WAS GIVING IT TO HIM.
JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE PUTTING IT ON THE BOOKS OR NOT HIDING IT DOESN’T MEAN THAT YOU ARE NOT STEALING! WHERE YOU FROM THAT YOU DON’T KNOW THAT?
----------------------------------------------------------
@NEJohn- YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY CORRECT I DON’T GIVE A SHIT ABOUT TIM DAY BEING A HOMOSEXUAL. MY POSITION IS THAT IT DOESN’T BELONG IN POLITICS! ANYONE WHO PROFESSES THAT THEY IDENTIFY WITH A CERTAIN GROUP AS THEY ATTEMPT TO GAIN A POLITICAL OFFICE DOESN’T BELONG IN POLTICS! PERIOD.
PERSONALLY I DON’T KNOW IF THAT IS PUBLIC INFO. IT COULD BE. THE PREVIOUS A.G. AND CURRENT A.G. I BELIEVE HAD TO SUBPOENA HIS RECORDS TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT SOMETHING ILLEGAL WAS GOING ON. HOWEVER, WHAT DOES HIM BEING AN ACCOUNTANT HAVE TO DO WITH HIM KNOWING WHAT HARRY WAS DOING WITH MONEY THAT HE PEELED OFF? YOUR COMMENT #37 IS REACHING AND DOESN’T MAKE ANY SENSE.
WHAT DOES MILLOY’S COMMENTARY HAVE TO DO WITH MY STATEMENT? YOU ARE A TYPICAL WHITEY ALWAYS LOOKING FOR THE ONE STRAW TO BREAK THE BLACK CAMEL’S BACK. ALSO LEARN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RACIAL AND RACIST IT WILL HELP YOU MAKE YOUR POINTS.
DUDE CLEANSING BREATH! IN YOUR NOSE. OUT YOUR MOUTH.
THE MARGINALIZATION OF WHICH YOU SPEAK WILL NOT BE HAPPENING ANYTIME SOON!
12:05 pm
I say dig into the Children's and Youth Investment trust. It was set up by the Williams administration, but the Fenty administration just used it as a money laundry. Everyone blames Harry Thomas, Junior and they should, but it could not have happened if the Trust's staff and the Fenty administration had not been complicit.
1:58 pm
The big unanswered question is how did he think he'd avoid detection? So much money not going into nonprofit programs combined with such ostentatious spending. And he a member of a very misbehaving Council under public scrutiny?
Reminds me of the Wash. Teachers Union President years back who embezzled hundreds of thousands of dollars for furs, silver, trips.
Almost seems like a form of kleptomania.
2:00 pm
The conflicts of interest that EVERY councilmember HAS is indefensible. They are all allowed to have full-time jobs (which mostly dovetail nicely with their being on the DC Council). Utterly ridiculous. At least Marion Barry keeps it real by not having another job outside of being on the council.
Being allowed to have "constituent service funds" is just calling "slush funds" by a gobbledygook name. GET RID OF THESE FUNDS PERMANENTLY.
There are so many other things to clean up in our City Council it's not funny anymore.
2:31 pm
Again, I stand my position that corruption is corruption. There's no such thing as "little corruption". Harry Thomas admitted to engaging in public corruption and now he will pay a price. However, corruption did not start nor will it end with Harry Thomas. It's wrong and racist for anyone to say that public corruption is not a serious offense when the accuser is non-black. However, implicit in some these of comments thats exactly whats being said. You people are mad crazy, if you think for one second that I man going to say that black people's wrongdoing deserves greater attention and punishment than others.
2:34 pm
CORRECTION: Again, I stand by my position that corruption is corruption. There's no such thing as "little corruption". Harry Thomas admitted to engaging in public corruption and now he will pay a price. However, corruption did not start nor will it end with Harry Thomas. It's wrong and racist for anyone to say that public corruption is not a serious offense when the accuser is non-black. However, implicit in some of these comments thats exactly whats being said. You people are mad crazy, if you think for one second that I am going to say that black people's wrongdoing deserves greater attention and punishment than others.
2:51 pm
@DREZ, I don't believe that black politicians need your support. In fact, they would better off without it.
4:53 pm
The more that comes out about this, the worse it looks. His hearings were a joke, other than bragging about team thomas and talking about sports he had no presence whatsoever on the council. Why did he pick Neil Rodgers, who presided over a cesspool of corruption and incompetence at DPR? Why was Rodgers instrumental in doing the paperwork and getting checks? Why was Millicent West so helpful in approving checks without proper documentation? He was doing virtually no council business - just stealing (and yes, that is why his staff was of such low quality - it is unlikely they did anything but assist in his scams).
8:31 pm
noodlez, you hate whitey so much that you can't see straight. And your girlfriend tony too....
8:35 pm
@mickey, go and cut your throat. You filthy azz faggot!
10:35 pm
There we go. That's what you really wanted to say all along.
9:48 am
Nobody has ever accused me of being a White Liberal. I consider myself a Black moderate. Theoretically, you are right. Corruption is corruption. But most people also have a “morality meter” that allows them further categorize these acts. Let’s look at the 4 recent big DC Council scandals and let me give you my personal take.
1. Graham’s COS (and most likely Graham) accepting a bribe to influence the taxi legislation. FBI concluded the JG did nothing illegal. I personally think there is something more there and I wish the press would really go sniffing. I also dislike JG, but this does not move me all that much.
2. Fully Loaded’s alleged campaign fund hijinks. Time will tell if anything illegal was done. Even so, this is a “shake my head and roll my eyes” type of thing for me. Misappropriation and improper of campaign funds does not jump my meter – it is done more than you know.
3. The Mayors cronies allegedly promising SB a job and providing cash in exchange for him bashing Fenty (and of course the issue of child employment). Honestly, I have seen worse in campaigns and I know nepotism runs rampant in this government. I was annoyed at the media’s overblown focus on this issue. I think the media gave it longer legs than it otherwise would have had. Once again, I was amused and entertained, but my meter did not move too much.
4. Councilmember misappropriating, for personal use, funds that were supposed to help, IMHO, the most vulnerable group of people in the city. As a Black CM who is out in the neighborhood, he KNOWS that these kids need help, distraction and intervention. These kids need resources!! He took advantage of that need to bulge his own pockets. That is what raises my meter – I do not care if he is White or Black. He stole from the most vulnerable of his own kind!!! Also, he is a Black CM. He HAS to know that, right or wrong, he is going to get more scrutiny! He helped them to put himself away.