“This is a city of haves and have-nots. Let’s be honest,” Ward 5 D.C. Councilman Harry Thomas Jr. said during last week’s lengthy and contentious debate over whether to increase from 8.5 percent to 8.95 percent the tax rate on annual incomes of $350,000 or more. Thomas had no concern for the have-nots and made no appeal for honesty when he allegedly engaged in an unvarnished kickback scheme. According to the city’s attorney general, Thomas pocketed $300,000 in tax revenue earmarked for disadvantaged youth. He currently is the target of a criminal investigation.
That a politician who diverted public money for his personal enrichment could turn around and vote to increase the taxes of people he stole from is absolutely stunning. The salt in that wound: By his own admission, Thomas did not pay taxes on those stolen funds or monies he illegally solicited through his defunct nonprofit organization.
Where is U.S. Attorney Ronald Machen Jr.?
In the real world, people who steal or deliberately engage in tax evasion are punished; often, they go to jail. For example, former Prince George’s County Executive Jack Johnson, who hustled developers, receiving tens of thousands or more in kickbacks, was sent to jail.
But in the District, when $300,000 of taxpayers’ money is snatched, the thief only has to make a promise of restitution. Worse still, he is allowed to remain in the legislature, voting on critical fiscal policies.
In some cultures, when a crime is committed against the community, the offender is banished or shunned. Thomas has been allowed to strut and boast. During last Tuesday’s tax debate he engaged in breathtakingly thuggish behavior, including repeated interruptions of Chairman Kwame Brown, bullying of the general counsel and all-around unstatesmanlike conduct.
Not one member of his team of tax and spenders, led by at-large Councilman Phil Mendelson, seemed to have considered that one of their most vocal members, according to the AG, had broken District laws and may be guilty of a criminal offense. Even Ward 3’s Mary Cheh and Ward 6’s Tommy Wells, who earlier this year called for Thomas’ resignation, failed to challenge his participation in the debate. Winning was all that mattered.
It’s easy to mug the “wealthy,” particularly during a recession. They are cast as villains, not paying their fair share. Legislators won’t admit or can’t understand overspending by the current administration, failed government policies, sluggish fiscal management and poor legislative oversight are indisputable reasons the city has been scrambling to replenish its reserves and stave off a credit-rating downgrade.
Apparently even more difficult for the council to comprehend is that ethics isn’t just a word — it’s behavior, steeped in principle and integrity and expressed by an unwillingness to witness an injustice or wrongdoing without speaking out against it or acting to stop it.
In other words, courage is required. If the council lacks the courage to stand against a member who has abused the public and its trust, it can’t possibly be expected to pass meaningful ethics reform.
Jonetta Rose Barras’ column appears on Monday and Wednesday. She can be reached at [email protected].
