Oliver Thomas: Difference between revisions
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'''Oliver M. Thomas, Jr.''' (born [[February 10]], [[1957]]) is a [[Democratic Party of the United States|Democratic]] politician from [[New Orleans]]. He served on the [[New Orleans City Council]] from [[1994]] to [[2007]]. On [[August 13]], [[2007]], Thomas resigned his council seat after pleading guilty to bribery charges. |
'''Oliver M. Thomas, Jr.''' (born [[February 10]], [[1957]]) is a [[Democratic Party of the United States|Democratic]] politician from [[New Orleans]]. He served on the [[New Orleans City Council]] from [[1994]] to [[2007]]. On [[August 13]], [[2007]], Thomas resigned his council seat after pleading guilty to bribery charges. |
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== Early life and family == |
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Thomas was born in New Orleans's [[Lower Ninth Ward]], the son of a laborer and a telephone operator. After graduating from Joseph S. Clark High School, he was able to go to college after receiving an athletic scholarship. He finished a bachelors degree in business studies from the [[College of Santa Fe]] in 1982. |
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After graduation, he spent several years on the East Coast working as an account executive for a travel company. He returned to New Orleans in 1985, where he worked as a substitute teacher and began volunteering in a number of political campaigns.<ref>{{cite news |
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| last=Russell |
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| title=Oliver Thomas remains more than a crook, many say |
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| work=New Orleans Times-Picayune |
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| url=http://blog.nola.com/times-picayune/2007/08/oliver_thomas_remains_more_tha.html |
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| date=[[2007-08-19]] |
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}}</ref> |
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== Political career == |
== Political career == |
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=== Bribery and resignation === |
=== Bribery and resignation === |
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On [[August 13]], [[2007]], Thomas resigned his council seat and pleaded guilty to a federal bribery charge. In late [[2001]] and early [[2002]], Thomas took $15,000 in kickbacks from [[Stan “Pampy” Barre]], a local businessman and associate of then-mayor [[Marc Morial]]. Barre owned a company which operated a number of [[French Quarter]] parking lots under contract with the city, and paid Thomas in order to ensure that the Morial-era contracts would be renewed under the incoming administration. Thomas agreed to Barre's terms, but also demanded and received one-third of the parking profits in kickbacks through one of his associates. |
On [[August 13]], [[2007]], Thomas resigned his council seat and pleaded guilty to a federal bribery charge. In late [[2001]] and early [[2002]], Thomas took $15,000 in kickbacks from [[Stan “Pampy” Barre]], a local businessman and associate of then-mayor [[Marc Morial]]. Barre owned a company which operated a number of [[French Quarter]] parking lots under contract with the city, and paid Thomas in order to ensure that the Morial-era contracts would be renewed under the incoming administration. Thomas agreed to Barre's terms, but also demanded and received one-third of the parking profits in kickbacks through one of his associates.<ref>{{cite news |
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== Education and personal life == |
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| title=Councilman resigns, offers apology |
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| work=New Orleans Times-Picayune |
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Thomas graduated from Joseph S. Clark High School in New Orleans, and received a Bachelor of Science degree from the [[College of Santa Fe]]. |
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| date=[[2007-08-14]] |
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==Election History== |
==Election History== |
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==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
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==External Links== |
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City of New Orleans : http://www.cityofno.com/ |
City of New Orleans : http://www.cityofno.com/ |
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Louisiana Secretary of State : http://www.sos.louisiana.gov/ |
Louisiana Secretary of State : http://www.sos.louisiana.gov/ |
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[[Category:1957 births]] |
[[Category:1957 births]] |
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[[Category:American criminals]] |
[[Category:American criminals]] |
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{{NewOrleans-stub}} |
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Revision as of 15:28, 19 August 2007
Oliver M. Thomas, Jr. (born February 10, 1957) is a Democratic politician from New Orleans. He served on the New Orleans City Council from 1994 to 2007. On August 13, 2007, Thomas resigned his council seat after pleading guilty to bribery charges.
Early life and family
Thomas was born in New Orleans's Lower Ninth Ward, the son of a laborer and a telephone operator. After graduating from Joseph S. Clark High School, he was able to go to college after receiving an athletic scholarship. He finished a bachelors degree in business studies from the College of Santa Fe in 1982.
After graduation, he spent several years on the East Coast working as an account executive for a travel company. He returned to New Orleans in 1985, where he worked as a substitute teacher and began volunteering in a number of political campaigns.[1]
He is married to Angelle (Laraque) Thomas. They have one daughter.
Political career
Thomas began his political career as a member of BOLD, a political organization based in New Orleans’s Central City neighborhood. A protégé of BOLD leader and longtime city councilor Jim Singleton, Thomas was appointed a legislative aide to Singleton in 1986. He then worked as a capital projects manager for the city’s Downtown Development District, and as a property manager for a firm in private industry.
Thomas was first elected to City Council in 1994, representing District B – a district which includes BOLD’s home neighborhood of Central City as well as the Central Business District and parts of Mid-City and Uptown. He served as councilor for this district for two terms before being elected to an at-large seat in 2002. While on city council, Thomas developed a reputation as a capable, responsive elected official; he gained a high level of popularity among both black and white voters. His popularity was confirmed in the both the elections of 2002 and 2006, when he was elected with a margin wide enough to avoid needing a runoff. He won with 88% of the vote in 2002 and was re-elected with 78% of the vote in 2006. In recent years there had been widespread speculation that Thomas would run for Mayor of New Orleans in 2010.
Bribery and resignation
On August 13, 2007, Thomas resigned his council seat and pleaded guilty to a federal bribery charge. In late 2001 and early 2002, Thomas took $15,000 in kickbacks from Stan “Pampy” Barre, a local businessman and associate of then-mayor Marc Morial. Barre owned a company which operated a number of French Quarter parking lots under contract with the city, and paid Thomas in order to ensure that the Morial-era contracts would be renewed under the incoming administration. Thomas agreed to Barre's terms, but also demanded and received one-third of the parking profits in kickbacks through one of his associates.[2]
Election History
Councilmember, District B, 1994
Threshold > 50%
First Ballot, February 5, 1994
| Candidate | Affiliation | Support | Outcome |
| Oliver Thomas | Democratic | 9467 (42%) | Runoff |
| Renee Gill Pratt | Democratic | 8609 (38%) | Runoff |
| Others | 20% | Defeated |
Councilmember, District B, 1994
Threshold > 50%
Runoff, March 5, 1994
| Candidate | Affiliation | Support | Outcome |
| Oliver Thomas | Democratic | 13,964 (52%) | Elected |
| Renee Gill Pratt | Democratic | 13,042 (48%) | Defeated |
Councilmember, District B, 1998
Threshold > 50%
First Ballot, February 7, 1998
| Candidate | Affiliation | Support | Outcome |
| Oliver Thomas | Democratic | 16,759 (90%) | Elected |
| Diane Prunty-Williams | Republican | 1897 (10%) | Defeated |
At-Large Councilmember, 2002
Threshold >25% (two to be elected)
| Candidate | Affiliation | Support | Outcome |
| Oliver Thomas | Democratic | 84,346 (44%) | Elected |
| Eddie Sapir | Democratic | 79,472 (41%) | Elected |
| Others | 15% | Defeated |
At-Large Councilmember, 2006
Threshold >25% (two to be elected)
| Candidate | Affiliation | Support | Outcome |
| Oliver Thomas | Democratic | 66,374 (39%) | Elected |
| Jackie Clarkson | Democratic | 36,839 (22%) | Runoff |
| Arnie Fielkow | Democratic | 31,092 (18%) | Runoff |
| Others | 20% | Defeated |
References
- ^ Russell, Gordon (2007-08-19). "Oliver Thomas remains more than a crook, many say". New Orleans Times-Picayune.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Councilman resigns, offers apology". New Orleans Times-Picayune. 2007-08-14.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)
External Links
City of New Orleans : http://www.cityofno.com/
Louisiana Secretary of State : http://www.sos.louisiana.gov/