Peter Thomas, a former cast member of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, will face two years of supervised release following his recent 18-month prison sentence for tax fraud.
According to court documents obtained by TMZ, the 64-year-old reality star and entrepreneur will also be required to participate in a substance abuse testing program and comply with restrictions on alcohol consumption.
Thomas, previously married to RHOA star Cynthia Bailey, will remain under close supervision by a probation officer, who has the authority to conduct searches if warranted.
In addition to his prison sentence, Thomas has been ordered to pay $2.5 million in restitution to the IRS. He was convicted of failing to pay over $2.5 million in employment taxes from various businesses he owned between 2017 and 2023. This amount includes $1.74 million in trust fund taxes collected from employee wages.
According to the Department of Justice, Thomas used the withheld trust fund taxes for personal expenses, including more than $2.5 million in cash withdrawals and $370,000 on travel, real estate, and luxury retail purchases at brands like Prada, Louis Vuitton, and Givenchy.
Thomas pleaded guilty to the charges over the summer and was sentenced on Thursday. While prosecutors initially sought a two-year prison term, his attorney, C. Melissa Owen, argued for leniency, citing his remorse.
The day before his sentencing, Thomas addressed the situation in a candid video, urging small business owners to prioritize payroll taxes. “This is one of those things you will get locked up for if you don’t pay… consistently,” he said, accepting full responsibility for his actions.
Thomas also reflected on the personal toll of his legal troubles, acknowledging the disappointment of his family and urging others to learn from his mistakes.
Thomas and Bailey were married in 2010 in a ceremony featured on The Real Housewives of Atlanta. The couple separated in 2016 and finalized their divorce the following year.
This isn’t Thomas’s first legal issue; he was previously arrested for DUI.
