*Peter Thomas, a former cast member of “The Real Housewives of Atlanta,” has begun serving an 18-month federal prison sentence in Miami.
On July 2, 2024, the 64-year-old pleaded guilty in Charlotte, North Carolina, to one count of failing to pay employment taxes under 26 U.S.C. § 7202, Complex reports. He turned himself in on August 1.
From 2017 to 2023, Thomas operated several businesses, including Club One CLT, Sports ONE, PT Media, and Bar One in Baltimore and Miami Beach. As the individual responsible for payroll taxes, he failed to remit more than $2.5 million, including approximately $1.7 million in employee withholdings.
Instead, court records show that funds were funneled between accounts or spent on luxury purchases and travel. Despite repeated warnings about his tax obligations, Thomas signed multiple Forms 941 acknowledging the withheld amounts and even directed an employee not to pay the IRS.
Although federal guidelines recommended a sentence of 24 to 30 months, the court imposed 18 months, followed by two years of supervised release. Thomas was also ordered to pay $2,526,131.99 in restitution to the IRS.
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In May, Thomas referenced his case in an Instagram post, advising business owners to stay current on withholding taxes. “All my people told me not to post this, that I am crazy if I do, I am not CRAZY, just real as f**k, the first thing I must say to all new business owner, please pay that withholding tax, you do not want to be in the position that I am right now,” he wrote.
The hospitality and media entrepreneur added, “THE LAW IS THE LAW, it’s not easy for us Black men, especially in my industry, no bank fund restaurant/bar/lounge, we have to put that shit on us ?, this is a NEW chapter in my life, it’s call accountability & responsibility, my road to redemption.”
“I have 3 black son, and I must lead by example, also for my 4 beautiful grandson, this life ain’t easy, but we’re resilient, and your granddaddy is a KING,” the post concluded.
Thomas’ Bar One Baltimore location closed in 2023. With no set release date, his case underscores the serious consequences of tax evasion for business owners.
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