Turner on corruption claims against former aide: 'If any city employee does anything wrong, it would be unsettling'

A top aide of Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner has vacated the position after entering a guilty plea for alleged bribery, Houston-based media outlets reported.

William-Paul Thomas was a common fixture at the Houston City Council chambers, standing behind Turner as the mayor presided over meetings. 

Houston ABC affiliate KTRK reported that Thomas tendered his resignation in response to allegations that he helped businesses stay open despite their non-compliance to COVID-19 measures.

According to KTRK, Thomas pleaded guilty to federal public corruption charges and subsequently resigned from the City of Houston late last month.

Thomas, who was on the city’s payroll for 15 years dating back to the Bill White administration, purportedly divulged to Turner that he considered retirement because of his health.

Houston NBC affiliate KPRC reported that a document from Houston federal court explained that Thomas – as director of council relations for the mayor’s office – was authorized to represent the mayor in matters pertaining to the city council, especially contracts in which the city is involved.

The document accuses Thomas of taking a monetary bribe from a proprietor who owned a restaurant and a bar “in order to influence and reward him for his official acts.”

The station reported that Turner held a press conference to address the situation with Thomas.

The mayor said neither he nor his representatives know anything about the case.

“I cannot talk to you about what he’s accused of doing because I don’t know anything,” he said, per KPRC.

Houston CBS affiliate KHOU reported that he was made aware of the charges against Thomas when a local publication reached out to him for comment.

“I have not talked to William-Paul since the Pride Parade,” the mayor said, according to the station. “I have not seen William-Paul.”

According to KHOU, Turner and Thomas used to meet regularly three times weekly for a number of years.

The mayor said that a city employee in trouble with the law is a matter of concern.

“If any city employee does anything wrong, contrary to policy or contrary to the law, it would be unsettling,” he said, per the station.

KPRC reported that Thomas faces the possibility of serving up to five years in prison with a subsequent three years of supervised release and a fine of no more than a quarter-million dollars.