Photo by Francis Chung.Due to allegations that he diverted hundreds of thousands of dollars in city funds to his Team Thomas organization, Ward 5 Councilmember Harry Thomas, Jr. has stepped down as chairman of the D.C. Council’s influential committee on economic development. Thomas stepped down in a letter sent to Council Chair Kwame Brown; Brown announced the around 6:30 p.m. this evening via email.
Thomas has not resigned from the Council, nor will he cease to be a voting member on other matters in front of the legislative body. The economic development committee will be temporary move under the oversight of the Committee of the Whole (which Brown chairs) for the remainder of the typically quiet summer season. The maneuver delays the need for Brown to make a complicated political decision with regard to reassignment of the chairmanship to another councilmember.
The city has filed a lawsuit which claims that Thomas improperly spent over $300,000 over the span of several years on a luxury SUV, lavish golf outings, travel and other big-ticket items. The city is seeking damages in excess of $1 million, and criminal charges against Thomas could still be pending.
“I hold our institution in the highest regard. Therefore, any diminution of my personal prerogatives must be secondary to the Council and its perception among District residents,” states Thomas’ letter, which can be read in full below.
