HOUSTON – Editors note: The article initially stated 12 years instead of 12 months. However, the mistake has been rectified and the article now reflects the correct duration.
The former Director of Houston City Council Relations William-Paul Thomas was sentenced in federal court on Monday.
After a passionate plea to the judge by Thomas and his attorney Monique Sparks for probation, the judge sided with federal prosecutors and sentenced Thomas to 12 months and one day in federal prison.
#BREAKING Former Houston City Council Relations Director William-Paul Thomas has been sentenced to 12 months and 1 day in federal prison. #HouNews pic.twitter.com/Dx5kQVZ1uV
— FBI Houston (@FBIHouston) February 5, 2024
Thomas, who was the right-hand to former Mayor Sylvester Turner and stood behind him every week at Houston City Council, was convicted for conspiracy tied to cash bribes in the summer of 2022.
The United States case against Thomas was considered so powerful that he admitted guilt in federal court without being indicted or directly charged. Experts told KPRC 2 Investigates Mario Diaz, at the time, an admission of that nature was not routing, and the case must have been overwhelming for Thomas not to put up a legal fight.
The federal sentencing of Thomas comes two months after KPRC 2 Investigates exposed a “Porsche Partnership” between Thomas and former airport concessionaire Jason Yoo. The two men purchased a convertible Porsche together in April 2018 during a period when Yoo was asking Thomas to assist him in getting hundreds of thousands in airport fines dismissed. It is unclear if KPRC 2′s investigation had any impact on the recent delays, but the investigation did catch many Houstonians by surprise.
After exiting the courthouse Thomas told KPRC 2 Investigates, “Happy Monday” as he quickly walked towards his parked convertible Porsche.
KRPC 2 Investigates did speak with his federally-appointed public defender Monique Sparks after his sentencing, “I believe the judge considered all things and I respect his decision,” said Sparks.
During his sentencing, it was revealed Thomas “fully cooperated” with investigators and “wore wires” shortly after being met by FBI agents in November 2020. When KPRC 2 Invesitgates asked if her client is done working with the government? Sparks said, “As of now yes.”
Thomas requested to serve his sentence at a federal prison close to Houston. He also was fined $5,000 dollars and will be under supervised for three years after he serves his time behind bars.