The former top aide to previous Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner faced a judge on Monday morning, when he was sentenced for his role in a bribery scheme in 2020.
William-Paul Thomas pleaded guilty in July 2022 to a federal bribery charge.
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Thomas admitted to accepting a cash bribe in exchange for changing a bar’s classification to a restaurant, which would allow it to stay open longer during COVID-19 restrictions.
His attorney, Monique Sparks, said after his sentencing hearing that the bribe was less than $1,000. Prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney’s Office argued during the hearing that he also accepted invites to events, gift cards, and meals in exchange for helping two other unnamed businesses.
In court on Monday, it was revealed that Thomas was reportedly approached by the FBI in November 2020 and worked with them. His attorney confirmed he wore a wire to certain city functions to “shore things up.”