CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Peter Anthony Thomas, a former Charlotte businessman and ex-husband of Real Housewives of Atlanta star Cynthia Bailey, has been sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for a tax offense, the U.S. Department of Justice announced today. Thomas, 63, now residing in Miami, Florida, was convicted for failing to pay more than $2.5 million in employment taxes for businesses he owned in Charlotte, Miami, and Baltimore.
In addition to the prison sentence, Thomas was ordered to pay restitution of $2,526,131.99 to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The sentencing follows a guilty plea on July 2, 2024, where Thomas admitted to not paying trust fund taxes due for the employees of his Charlotte-based company, PT Media, LLC, for the quarter ending June 30, 2021.
Thomas owned and operated several businesses, including sports-themed bar and restaurant lounges in Charlotte—such as Club One CLT and Sports ONE—as well as establishments in Miami and Baltimore. These businesses were required to collect and remit federal employment taxes on behalf of their employees, known as “trust fund taxes.” However, court documents revealed that between 2017 and 2023, Thomas diverted over $2.5 million in employment taxes for personal use.
According to prosecutors, between 2017 and 2022, the Charlotte businesses alone withheld more than $640,000 in trust fund taxes from employee wages but failed to remit the funds to the IRS. Thomas similarly failed to pay over $1.1 million in employment taxes for his Miami and Baltimore establishments, Bar One Miami Beach LLC and Bar One Baltimore LLC. In total, Thomas’ actions led to a shortfall of more than $2.5 million in taxes.
Misuse of Funds for Personal Gain
Rather than paying the taxes to the IRS, Thomas used the withheld funds for personal and business-related expenses. Court records indicated that he withdrew over $2.5 million in cash from company accounts and spent large sums on luxury items. These expenditures included $370,000 on travel, real estate purchases, and over $250,000 on retail items, including high-end goods from Neiman Marcus, Prada, Louis Vuitton, and Givenchy. Additionally, more than $2.9 million was transferred between Thomas’s various businesses in what prosecutors describe as a method of concealing his financial misconduct.
The case was investigated by the IRS Criminal Investigation division. Donald “Trey” Eakins, Special Agent in Charge of the IRS Charlotte Field Office, emphasized the severity of Thomas’s actions, stating, “The theft of taxes intended for the benefit of the U.S. Treasury is a crime that harms all taxpayers. The IRS will continue to investigate individuals who misuse payroll taxes for their own personal gain.”
Thomas was released on bail after pleading guilty in July 2024. He will now be required to report to a federal facility once his designation is made by the Bureau of Prisons.
U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, Dena J. King, expressed her satisfaction with the outcome, noting, “This sentencing serves as a reminder that individuals who fail to meet their tax obligations will be held accountable, regardless of their status or the size of their businesses.”
Peter Anthony Thomas gained public attention through his marriage to Cynthia Bailey, a model and reality television star from The Real Housewives of Atlanta. Although the couple divorced in 2022, their relationship garnered significant media coverage. Despite his celebrity connections, Thomas’s legal troubles underscore the serious consequences of financial misconduct, particularly in relation to federal tax obligations.
This recent conviction follows alleged fraud charges almost five years. E! News reported that Peter Thomas was released from jail after being arrested for allegedly issuing bad checks. Thomas’ attorney, Keith Doley shared, “This was an unfortunate misunderstanding. Mr. Thomas had no intention of failing to pay. There was confusion regarding a performance that did not take place, but everything has been sorted out.”
Doley presented a $4,000 check on behalf of Thomas, stating that the District Attorney’s office will no longer pursue the charges.
Reports also indicated Thomas, was taken into custody at Miami International Airport due to a warrant from Louisiana related to the alleged fraudulent checks. The former reality star is currently being held without bond.
Cynthia and Peter became part of the Real Housewives of Atlanta in season 3, even showcasing their wedding in 2010 on the show. However, six years later, Cynthia announced their separation, and their divorce was finalized in 2017.
