RHOA alum Peter Thomas to undergo 2 years of drug testing after serving 18 months in prison for tax fraud

Reality TV star Peter Thomas is under strict surveillance following his tax fraud conviction.

The former Real Housewives of Atlanta star will serve two years of supervised release following his recent 18-month prison sentence, according to court documents obtained by TMZ.

Thomas will also be required to participate in a substance abuse testing program.

The 64-year-old, who was previously married to RHOA star Cynthia Bailey, will be closely monitored by a probation officer with the authority to conduct searches if suspicion arises.

Additional conditions are attached to the supervision, including restrictions on alcohol consumption.

In addition to his prison sentence, he must repay $2.5 million to the tax authorities.

The former Real Housewives of Atlanta star will serve two years of supervised release following his recent 18-month prison sentence, according to court documents obtained by TMZ

He reportedly failed to pay more than $2.5 million in employment taxes from several sports-themed bars, restaurants and lounges he owned in several states from 2017 to 2023.

This figure also included $1,740,000 in trust fund taxes he collected from his employees’ wages.

Court documents show that instead of paying the trust fund taxes owed on behalf of the Charlotte companies, Thomas used the trust fund taxes for other purposes, including more than $2.5 million in cash withdrawals, $370,000 for travel, real estate purchases and more than $250,000 in retail purchases, including expensive purchases at Neiman Marcus, Prada, Louis Vuitton and Givenchy,” the Justice Department said.

Thomas pleaded guilty to the charge over the summer but was not sentenced until Thursday.

Prosecutors wanted Thomas to spend two years behind bars, but his attorney, C. Melissa Owen, fought for a sentence of one year and one day, insisting he was “incredibly remorseful,” police said. Baltimore banner.

The reality alum said he was ready to “face the music” in a video posted the day before his sentencing.

Thomas made the announcement in a poignant way on the occasion of his 50th anniversary living in the United States.

“Tomorrow I will appear at the US federal courthouse here in Charlotte, North Carolina, to face the music.

The 64-year-old, who was previously married to RHOA star Cynthia Bailey, will be closely monitored by a probation officer with the authority to conduct searches if suspicion arises.

Additional conditions are attached to the supervision, including restrictions on alcohol consumption

“The music of not paying business taxes consistently for over a decade,” he said.

‘I thought it was something I could straighten out by making a repayment plan and paying it off, but that’s not how withholding taxes work.

‘I was found guilty. Found not guilty, I plead guilty, and with my guilty plea I have to sit down for a while.

Thomas urged other small business owners not to make the same mistakes he did.

“So my public service announcement is to tell all the small business owners that this is one of those things that if you don’t pay the withholding tax consistently, you’ll get locked up. The American government doesn’t play along with that.

“So if you don’t have that budget to make your payroll consistently and not enough to make your payroll before you pay your rent because the landlord can evict you, you’re not going to go to jail, though. Okay? But you’re going to jail because you didn’t pay your withholding taxes to the U.S. government.”

Thomas seemed to accept the consequences of his actions and was at peace with the way things played out.

“Tomorrow I’ll take the flame away from all you bloggers out there. Tomorrow I will be in federal court and tomorrow afternoon I will know my fate.”

Thomas exchanged vows with Bailey during a 2010 ceremony that was shown on the Bravo show’s third season

‘I have to stand up for it. Because I was wrong. And I have to pay the dues. My parents aren’t happy about this, I know my dad is turning in his grave right now… and my mom wanted to make the trip here to Charlotte, North Carolina and I told her, “No, I’m not doing that.” I want you to see me like this.”

‘Pay that withholding tax. Don’t put yourself in the same situation as me.’

Thomas exchanged vows with Bailey during a 2010 ceremony that was featured on the Bravo show’s third season.

Thomas and Bailey separated in 2016 after three years of marriage and their divorce was formalized in 2017.

He has had other run-ins with the law, including a recent arrest for drunken driving.