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

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

Thursday in a US District Court in Charlotte, North Carolina Judge Kenneth D. Bell Sr. presided over the sentencing.

Details of sentence

In addition to the prison sentence, the judge ordered Bell Peter Thomas64, to serve two years of supervised release after his incarceration and to pay restitution for unpaid taxes. peter Pleaded guilty in June to one count of failure to pay trust fund taxes.

Tax evasion scheme

Between 2017 and 2023, peter Owns and operates several businesses including Club One CLT, Sports One, Sports One CLT, PT Media, Bar One Miami Beach and Bar One Baltimore. During this period, these establishments failed to pay employment taxes, withholding more than $1.7 million from employees' paychecks. Instead of sending these funds to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), peter Used the money for personal expenses.

Arguments of the prosecution

Assistant U.S. Attorney Caryn Finley pushed for a minimum sentence of two years in prison Peter's The actions were driven by greed and a blatant disregard for tax laws. Finley said so peter used the misappropriated funds to "personally enrich himself and to expand and support his other business ventures," including spending more than $250,000 on luxury items from brands such as Prada, Louis Vuitton and Givenchy.

He also noted that while individuals are free to spend their money as they choose, they "cannot steal other people's money—in this case the payroll taxes of their employees—to support their otherwise unsuccessful business ventures."

plea of ​​defence

Peter's Attorney, C. Melissa Wayne, highlighted, requested an additional sentence of one year and one day peter Repentance and his positive standing in the community. Wayne described his client as "incredibly remorseful for failing to pay trust fund taxes" and noted his reputation as a supportive father, loyal brother and son. He also noted that Thomas has used his social media platform to advise small business owners on the importance of meeting IRS obligations.

Thomas' statement

Before sentencing, peter addressed his situation on Instagram, admitting his wrongdoing and expressing readiness to "face the music" after pleading guilty to tax charges. Reflecting on the 50th anniversary of his arrival in the United States, he remarked, "I never thought I would celebrate it like this." peter He also advised fellow business owners on the importance of prioritizing payroll taxes over other expenses to avoid legal repercussions.

Background

Originally from Kingston, Jamaica, peter Moved to the United States as a child and was initially raised in Brooklyn, New York. He managed and owned restaurants and nightclubs for nearly four decades, gaining national recognition through his appearances on "The Real Housewives of Atlanta" with his then-wife, Cynthia Bailey.

Legal implications

Failure to pay employment taxes is a serious federal offense, as employers are tasked with withholding taxes from employees' wages and remitting them to the IRS. Misusing these funds not only violates tax laws but also jeopardizes employees' future Social Security and Medicare benefits. peter The sentencing serves as a cautionary tale to business owners about the serious consequences of neglecting tax obligations.

For more detailed information, read the official press release from the US Attorney's Office for the Western District of North Carolina.

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Avigall is an entertainment blogger for All About the T, specializing in The Real Housewives of Atlanta and The Real Housewives of Potomac. Avigail has a background in marketing. She is a Brooklynite living in the Bahamas with a passion for travel, writing, watching reality TV, pop culture and spoken word.