The city government has accused D.C. Council member Harry Thomas Jr. of using grant money and donations for trips and expenditures. (Rod Lamkey Jr./The Washington Times)“I have to say we’re extremely disappointed in this violation of public by Mr. Thomas,” Mr. Nathan said, adding he has referred the case to federal investigators.
According to court records, the District funds were provided by Council legislation in 2007 to the D.C. Children & Youth Investment Trust Corp., which at Mr. Thomas‘ direction, passed them to the Langston 21st Century Foundation, which in turn, at Mr. Thomas‘ direction, secretly paid most of the money to Mr. Thomas through his for-profit and non-profit corporations.
Mr. Thomas‘ attorney, Frederick Cooke Jr., said he and his client would not field questions about specific allegations in the lawsuit. He said they received the complaint early Monday and would like to preserve their legal rights.
Still, Mr. Cooke said: “We don’t believe any of these allegations are true.”
Mr. Cooke added that the Audi was purchased through Mr. Thomas‘ for-profit business, and allegations surrounding itemized trips were based on the attorney general’s “view of the business,” and “not ours.”
Mr. Nathan’s announcement of the lawsuit was followed by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia acknowledging publicly in a brief statement that the agency also has been investigating the council member.
“The U.S. Attorney's Office had been investigating the matter prior to today’s development,” spokesman Bill Miller said, although he declined to say when the federal probe started.
The more than $1 million prosecutors are seeking includes penalties and lawyer fees.
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David Hill joined The Washington Times in February 2011 as a Maryland political reporter. He can be reached at dhill@washingtontimes.com.
Tom Howell Jr. covers politics for The Washington Times. He can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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