Thomas gets 37 months after refusing to "rat"

The sentencing of former Councilman Oliver Thomas ended moments ago, amid a scene like noneother in the recent spate of indictments and guilty pleas in New Orleans. A mix of Thomas' relatives and friends, reporters, courthouse personnel and others packed the courtroom and spilled out into the hallway to hear U.S. District Judge Sarah Vance sentence Thomas to 37 months in jail.

"The defendant has not been truthful or fully cooperative," Vance said in sentencing the former city councilman, who pleaded guilty to a single count of bribery and has refused to provide prosecutors with possible information he might have in other cases. "Mr. Thomas, your actions are a tragic disappointment to this entire community.

" A few people in the hallway, apparently friends of Thomas, started shaking their heads and crying just after the judge handed down the sentence.

One notable Thomas supporter was former New Orleans Police Chief Eddie Compass, whose appearance had a certain irony, given his former leadership position in law enforcement and his close relationship with U.S. Attorney Jim Letten, whose office prosecuted Thomas.

Supporters streamed out of the courtroom in quiet contrast to the more boisterous reaction of Thomas supporters at his indictment. Thomas, in typical fashion, hugged and kissed friends and family, and even warmly embraced reporters covering his downfall.

Thomas then disappeared into an elevator saying he was on his way up to the U.S. Marshal's office.

The sentencing comes a day after federal prosecutors disclosed in a court filing that Thomas told them he refused to be a "rat" -- a sentiment that didn't amuse them, given that Thomas had signed a plea deal promising to cooperate with the government.

Thomas earlier pleaded guilty to taking about $15,000 in exchange for helping to rig a French Quarter parking contract for Stan .....

A lot of people who liked this guy turned on him when he said he refused to be a "rat". People are getting tired of the "don't be a snitch" attitude and thats what this guy is perpetuating with his attitude.

He was likely being utterly sincere. I can't believe there has ever been any real corruption in the Big Easy.

He might be thinking: “better to live to serve 37 months than have an accident.”

3 posted on 11/21/2007 2:58:31 PM PST by maine-iac7 (",,,but you can't fool all of the people all the time" LINCOLN)

Thomas told them he refused to be a "rat"

I would have assumed him to already be a Democrat.

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