Peter Thomas, widely recognized for his role on The Real Housewives of Atlanta alongside ex-wife Cynthia Bailey, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty to tax-related charges. This development adds him to the growing list of reality TV stars facing legal troubles.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina confirmed the sentencing, stating that Thomas admitted to failing to pay trust fund taxes owed to the IRS. In addition to his prison time, he will serve two years of supervised release and is required to pay $2.5 million in restitution.
The charges stem from allegations that Thomas avoided paying trust fund taxes for his employees between 2017 and 2023. The restaurateur reportedly owed nearly $650,000 in trust fund taxes for his Charlotte, North Carolina, business alone. Further investigations revealed a staggering $2.5 million in unpaid employment taxes over six years across multiple businesses in various states.
Thomas pled guilty earlier this summer, acknowledging his failure to pay taxes as a serious offense. When he begins his sentence, he will be placed in a facility near Miami, where he will have access to educational, vocational, and substance abuse treatment programs.
Ahead of his sentencing, Thomas took to Instagram to share a candid message with his followers, urging aspiring business owners to learn from his mistakes. He admitted to consistently withholding taxes over a decade, believing a payment plan could resolve the issue. However, he noted, “It doesn’t work like that.”
In his video update, Thomas expressed his willingness to “face the music” and emphasized the importance of accountability. “I plead guilty. And, with my plea of guilty, I have to sit down for a while,” he stated.
This sobering outcome serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of neglecting tax obligations, even for high-profile individuals. Thomas’s case underscores the importance of financial responsibility, particularly for business owners navigating complex tax systems.
