Associate Accused of Aiding Harry Thomas Jr.'s Scheme

When details of ex D.C. Council member Harry Thomas Jr.’s embezzlement scheme were revealed last week, it was clear he didn’t do it alone. When Thomas steered grant funds to nonprofits for kickbacks, receipts and records had to be falsified.

Now a man accused of helping cover up Thomas’s theft of government money is facing charges, the Associated Press reported. Prosecutors filed their case against Marshall Banks Thursday. He was charged by criminal information, which generally signals a person's intent to plead guilty.

The two-page document says Banks received and redistributed grant funds to Thomas, who pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $350,000 in government funds earmarked for youth sports and other programs.

Banks is the president of a nonprofit that provides golf programs for youth. He allegedly gave grant money to Thomas for programs that never happened.

A message left for Banks was not immediately returned.

The charge Banks faces carries a maximum of three years imprisonment. A plea hearing is scheduled for Friday morning.

Thomas is facing up to almost four years in prison after pleading guilty to embezzlement and filing false income tax returns. Sentencing was scheduled for May 3.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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