D.C. Council Chair Stops Short Of Calling For Harry Thomas's Resignation

D.C. Council Chair Kwame Brown is calling on Councilman Harry Thomas Jr. to "seriously consider what's best for his family and constituents," but in comments Monday, he didn't go so far as to ask him to resign.

Thomas has been facing pressure to step down from some of his fellow council members after agreeing to settle a lawsuit with the city and pay back $300,000 in city funds he allegedly spent for personal use.

While two council members -- Mary Cheh and David Catania -- have publicly called for Thomas to step down, Brown stopped short of calling for a resignation. But Brown added in a statement he was disappointed with Thomas and urged him to keep the best interests of his constituents at heart.

The D.C. attorney general sued Thomas for diverting money earmarked for "youth baseball programs" into his own organizations. According to the lawsuit, some of the money was spent on lavish golf trips as well as a luxury SUV.

Thomas admits no wrong doing but has agreed to pay back the money. The settlement also prohibits him from running any charitable organizations for the next five years.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Attorney's Office continues to investigate the matter, as well as several other city hall scandals.

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