Source: Mayor’s liaison pleads guilty
Senior Turner aide charged with public corruption over bar bribe
A senior mayoral aide pleaded guilty to federal public corruption charges last week, according to a source with direct knowledge of the situation, and resigned from his position at City Hall.
William-Paul Thomas, Mayor Sylvester Turner’s liaison to City Council, admitted on July 25 to conspiracy to accept a cash bribe in exchange for changing a bar’s classification to a restaurant, the official said. The change allowed the bar to stay open longer during COVID-19 restrictions.
It was not immediately clear whether the charges are part of a broader federal inquiry into the city. Records on the case were not available Tuesday night.
Thomas could not be reached for comment Tuesday night.
“The Mayor’s Office has no knowledge of the allegation or charge,” said Mary Benton, the mayor’s communications director. “The Mayor’s Office has not been informed of any allegation or charge against Mr. Thomas.”
Thomas pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Andrew S. Hanen and was released on bond.
He abruptly resigned his position the day after his plea.
In a letter to Turner he said the resignation — which he described as a retirement — was due to health reasons. His departure shocked many people at City Hall.
“Pursuant to our family physician’s directive, it is what is best at this time,” Thomas wrote in the letter. “I cannot thank you enough for all the professional and personal development opportunities that you provided me. It has been one heck of a journey!”
Thomas had worked in local government for years. His tenure at City Hall predated Turner’s election.