‘RHOA’ alum Peter Thomas sentenced to 18 months in prison for tax evasion!

‘RHOA’ alum Peter Thomas sentenced to 18 months in prison for tax evasion!

The Real Housewives of Atlanta alum Peter Thomas He was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for failing to pay more than $2.5 million in employment taxes.

The ruling was handed down Thursday in U.S. District Court in Charlotte, North Carolina, with Judge Kenneth D. Bell Sr. presiding.

Judgment details

In addition to the prison sentence, the judge ordered Bell Peter Thomas64, was ordered to serve two years of supervised release after being imprisoned and must pay restitution for unpaid taxes. Peter He pleaded guilty in June to one count of failing to pay trust fund taxes.

Tax evasion system

Between 2017 and 2023, Peter She owns and operates several companies, including Club One CLT, Sports ONE, Sports ONE CLT, PT Media, Bar One Miami Beach, and Bar One Baltimore. During this period, these organizations failed to pay employment taxes, including more than $1.7 million withheld from employee paychecks. Instead of transferring this money to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Peter Use the money for personal expenses.

The prosecution’s argument

Assistant US Attorney Karen Finley called for a prison sentence of at least two years, emphasizing that Peter These actions were motivated by greed and blatant disregard for tax laws. Finlay stated Peter He used the embezzled funds to “personally enrich himself and to expand and support his other business ventures,” including spending more than $250,000 on luxury goods from brands such as Prada, Louis Vuitton, and Givenchy.

She further noted that although individuals are free to spend their money as they want, they “cannot steal other people’s money — in this case their employees’ payroll taxes — to support their own failing business ventures.”

Defense call

Peter Attorney C Melissa Owen asked for a reduced sentence of one year and one day in prison, highlighting Peter Regret and its positive position in society. Owen described her client as “deeply remorseful for failing to pay the trust fund taxes,” and noted his reputation as a supportive father, devoted brother and son. It also reported that Thomas used his social media platform to advise small business owners on the importance of meeting IRS obligations.

Thomas statement

Before the ruling is issued, Peter He addressed his stance on Instagram, admitting his mistake and expressing his willingness to “face the music” after pleading guilty to the tax charges. Speaking about the 50th anniversary of his arrival in the United States, he said: “I didn’t think I would celebrate it this way.” Peter He also offered advice to fellow business owners, stressing the importance of prioritizing payroll taxes over other expenses to avoid legal ramifications.

background

Originally from Kingston, Jamaica, Peter He moved to the United States as a child and grew up primarily in Brooklyn, New York. He has managed and owned restaurants and nightclubs for nearly four decades, gaining national fame through appearances on “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” alongside his then-wife. Cynthia Bailey.

Legal implications

Failure to pay employment taxes is a serious federal crime, as employers are charged with withholding taxes from employees’ wages and remitting them to the IRS. Embezzling these funds not only violates tax laws, but also jeopardizes employees’ future Social Security and Medicare benefits. Peter The ruling serves as a cautionary tale for business owners about the dire consequences of neglecting tax obligations.

For more detailed information, see the official press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina.

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