FBI, IRS agents search home of DC Councilmember Harry Thomas Jr.; SUV and motorcycle towed

By Associated Press

WASHINGTON — FBI and IRS agents on Friday searched the home of D.C. Councilmember Harry Thomas Jr., who’s been under investigation for several months since being accused of diverting more than $300,000 in city funds for personal use. Nearly two dozen law-enforcement personnel took part in the search.
Authorities did not arrest anyone, unseal any documents or make any announcements about the case Friday. The FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s office said only that their activity was related to an ongoing investigation. But agents did load both a Chevrolet Tahoe and a motorcycle of Thomas’ onto a tow truck. Agents also took out at least two small garbage bags of items as well as several cardboard boxes.

“From Day One, we’ve cooperated with the government’s investigation of this matter. We’ll continue to do that,” Karl Racine, one of Thomas’ attorneys, said late Friday afternoon outside the councilmember’s home. “At the conclusion of the matter, we sincerely believe that there’ll be no finding of any criminal violations.”
Agents left Thomas’ home around 5:20 p.m. One of his attorneys, Frederick Cooke, answered the door when reporters knocked and said neither he nor Thomas had any comment.
Federal authorities have been investigating Thomas, a Democrat who represents Ward 5, since at least June, when the District of Columbia attorney general filed a lawsuit accusing him of spending more than $300,000 in city funds on an Audi SUV, vacations and other personal expenses. Thomas agreed to repay the money but did not acknowledge any wrongdoing.
Thomas subsequently stepped down from his post as chairman of the Council’s economic development committee. Three colleagues called on him to resign, but he has vowed to remain in office.
Council Chairman Kwame Brown hastily called a closed-door meeting of the Council on Friday afternoon to discuss “personnel matters,” but postponed it until Monday because some councilmembers were sick or out of town, said Brown’s spokeswoman, Karen Sibert.
Councilmember Mary Cheh confirmed that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss Thomas. The Council could reprimand him or strip him of committee assignments. It could also begin censure proceedings, but that would require the Council to launch its own investigation, which Cheh said would not seem to be a prudent course of action.
“This changes the complexion of things,” said Cheh, one of the council members who had called on Thomas to resign, of Friday’s raid. “I’m very, very concerned about how it reflects on the Council. It is a fairly grave situation for the institution.”
One of Thomas’ attorneys, Seth Rosenthal, said Friday that the search was unexpected.
“Today’s events come as a surprise given that we have been cooperating fully and in earnest with federal authorities in their investigation. We will continue to do so,” Rosenthal wrote in an email.
Patrick Brown, a spokesman for the IRS criminal investigation division, said agents were at Thomas’ home “on official business.” He declined to comment further.
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