HOUSTON – The federal sentencing of former Houston City Council Relations Director William-Paul Thomas on Monday immediately had city hall insiders, criminal defense attorneys and Houstonians worried about what’s next.
“There is probably another shoe to drop somewhere down the line,” said Chip Lewis, a nationally known criminal defense attorney based in Houston.
Lewis was in the courtroom as Thomas was being sentenced by coincidence, as he had a client waiting to go before the judge in another matter separate from the case involving Thomas. However, like those watching the proceedings from the public seating areas, Lewis learned firsthand how involved Thomas was in working with the FBI and prosecutors during the former city director’s passionate plea to the judge for probation.
“The most revealing part was how early on he had begun working with the FBI,” said Lewis from outside the courthouse.
Thomas admits he started fully cooperating with investigators the night they showed up at his home in November of 2020, admitting he did everything that was asked, including wearing wires for well over a year.
“They have had this information for a long time, and I can’t imagine they would have made such a generous recommendation on his sentence if there weren’t fruitful proceeds from what he’s been working on,” said Lewis.
Considering all the work put in by Thomas while cooperating with federal investigators, Lewis said he was taken aback by the absence of any additional cases and charges that were able to be built because of what Thomas revealed.
“Very surprised of the other shoe has not dropped. It gives me some pause as to whether there is going to be another shoe to drop because we would have expected something before his sentence. The feds have a habit of waiting to sentence their original cooperator until all the other targets have been disposed of,” said Lewis.
WATCH: Houstonions question the Feds after KPRC 2′s Investigations
Lewis did acknowledge he had seen KPRC 2 Investigates previous reporting into the actions of Thomas inside of City Hall, as well as the Houston Airports System.
In the weeks following his conviction, KPRC 2 Investigates exposed how Thomas worked against the best interests of Houstonians – those who pay for his salary – and instead, was looking out for airport concessionaire Jason Yoo.
KPRC 2 reporter Mario Diaz’s reporting detailed Yoo owed hundreds of thousands in airport fines, and Thomas attempting to get those fines dismissed. Eventually, hundreds of thousands in fines were erased, according to former Houston Airport System Director Mario Diaz.
When it came to emails concerning Yoo and his financial struggles at the airport, Diaz and Thomas were not the only ones aware. Mayor Sylvester Turner, Andy Icken, his Chief Development Officer and Marvalette Hunter, his Chief of Staff, also were in the loop.
In April 2018, Mayor Turner asked questions about his status with his partners after Yoo emailed Turner informing him that he was not only four months behind in rent, but he also was requesting for it to be waived.
Our latest report in November 2023 laid out a secret “Porsche Partnership” between Thomas and Yoo during the time Thomas was attempting to get all of the fines tied to Yoo dismissed.
“It explains itself,” said Lewis.
The Porsche was purchased in April of 2018 with the names of Yoo and Thomas attached to the Porsche. The address listed was to Yoo’s residence, but it was Thomas who was driving it around town and showing it off on social media.
“I don’t think it would be a leap of faith to wonder if Mr. Paul was involved in this shakedown (and) if at some points in time in other city business, he wasn’t receiving gratuities or favors, and a Porsche does seem like a gratuity on a man’s salary,” said Lewis in response to our report.
The bottom line for Lewis?
“It’s quite troubling given all the noise around his position,” said Lewis. “I was somewhat surprised after you all’s report and after what I heard today that that has not been dealt with.”
Lewis reiterated during our interview what we have heard from so many who have contacted KPRC 2 Investigates following our reporting over the years or weighed in online.
“Myself and probably many of the folks that followed you all’s story expected a lot more,” Lewis said.
The question we have heard asked several times over the years from elected leaders in Austin to Houston City Hall and Houstonians following these investigations has been: “Where are the Feds?”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas did not hold a press conference following the sentencing of Thomas, which is routine in other major cities.
The FBI’s office in Houston did provide us with the following statement from SAC Douglas Williams:
“Mr. Thomas took advantage of his public position at city hall, misused his local governmental powers for his own private gain, and undermined the trust of Houstonians in their public officials. He will now serve federal prison time for that abuse of trust, power, and position. Rooting out public corruption is exceptionally difficult. Public corruption is too often a silent crime, meaning it’s often done in secret- outside of the office or after business hours. When signs of public corruption are ultimately recognized by some citizens, they may not know who to report them to. Many of our investigations start with a tip from someone who encounters corruption. That’s why we continue to ask anyone who suspects public corruption, at any level, to please report it to the FBI. Their information is critical to our work.”
Thomas’ sentencing comes four years after KPRC 2 Investigates first exposed his actions at City Hall -- a $500,000 email offer entertained by Thomas and Icken, which was sent by Yoo, asking for their help in getting former Turner to help close a private land deal.
