D.C. Council member Harry Thomas, Jr. (D-Ward 5) has resigned Jan. 5, becoming the first sitting D.C. Council member to be charged with a felony since the city’s home rule government was seated in 1975, after he was accused of embezzling more than $350,000 in government funds and filing false tax returns, The Washington Post reported Jan. 5

“I am resigning my position as a member of the Council effective immediately. I made some very serious mistakes and exhibited inadequate and flawed judgment. I take full responsibility for my actions. I am truly sorry,” Thomas said in a statement issued shortly after 8 p.m.

Thomas, 51, also said in his statement he would plead guilty to two federal crimes. He was scheduled to appear at a plea hearing Jan. 6 before U.S. District Judge John D. Bates.
The federal charges came in a “criminal information” charging document that can only be filed with the defendant’s consent and generally signals that a plea deal has been reached, The Post reported.

In July, Thomas was accused of diverting the funds through nonprofit groups he controlled to cover personal expenses, including a luxury vehicle and golf outings. Thomas did not admit wrongdoing, but agreed to a settlement.

He reportedly reached an agreement with the government Dec. 14 in federal court, agreed to repay those funds, as well as nearly $20,000 in unpaid student loans.

He made a $50,000 payment and was scheduled to deliver twice yearly payments of $50,000 until the debt was repaid through 2013. The second installment under the plan was due Dec. 31, but the deadline was extended to Jan. 2 because of the holiday weekend.

Thomas, however, missed the payment.

In November, IRS and FBI agents raided Thomas’ home in connection with a criminal investigation in the case. Jan. 5, NBC News4-Washington reported Thomas’ lawyers were in negotiations with federal officials for a possible plea deal that could result in Thomas pleading guilty to a federal charge, resigning his council seat and being sentenced to jail time.

According to The Post, prosecutors filed a four-page charging document Jan. 5 that alleged Thomas embezzled $353,500 between April 2007 and February 2009. He was also accused of filing false tax returns in 2007, 2008 and 2009 and underreporting $346,000 in during those years. Prosecutors are seeking the forfeiture of a 2008 motorcycle and a 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe connected with the case, according to the document.