Peter Thomas LOCKED UP… Begins 18-Month Sentence & Tells Business Owners to Pay Their Taxes!

Peter Thomas LOCKED UP… Begins 18-Month Sentence & Tells Business Owners to Pay Their Taxes!

Peter Thomas has officially reported to federal prison to begin serving an 18-month sentence after pleading guilty to a multi-million-dollar tax fraud scheme. The former Bravo star and restaurateur, once married to Cynthia Bailey, is now facing the consequences of what federal prosecutors described as a “flagrant violation” of tax law.

Peter, 64, surrendered himself to the Federal Bureau of Prisons over Memorial Day weekend 2025. Before heading inside, he shared a photo outside the facility and addressed his followers with a candid message on Instagram.

“All my people told me not to post this, that I am crazy if I do,” he wrote. “I am not CRAZY, just real as f*ck.” The heartfelt—and unfiltered—post served as a warning to fellow entrepreneurs. Peter urged business owners not to make the same mistakes that landed him in trouble with the IRS.

“The first thing I must say to all new business owner[s], please pay that withholding tax,” he advised. “You do not want to be in the position that I am right now, THE LAW IS THE LAW.” According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Peter failed to pay more than $2.5 million in payroll taxes over several years while operating his various businesses.

Prosecutors claimed the unpaid taxes not only enriched Peter and his companies but also deprived the government of funds meant for employee retirement and disability benefits.

Despite his past legal troubles—including previous lawsuits and business closures—Thomas’s latest post reflected a tone of humility and accountability. “This is a new chapter,” he continued, noting he hoped to be a positive example for his family. “I want to be accountable and responsible for my 3 black son[s].”

The Bravo alum’s sentence follows a plea deal that spared him a longer term. His post did not mention when or where he is serving his sentence, but the timeline suggests he’ll remain behind bars until late 2026.

Fans of The Real Housewives of Atlanta will recall Peter Thomas’s run on the show during his marriage to Cynthia Bailey, which ended in divorce in 2017. His appearances often showcased his business ventures, including the now-defunct Bar One restaurants.

Though no longer part of the RHOA cast, Thomas’s life continues to make headlines—this time, from behind prison walls. The Real Housewives of Atlanta airs Sundays at 8/7c on Bravo.

 

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