Warner Robins councilman accused of illegally holding office; Thomas calls attack political | Politics | Macon.com

WARNER ROBINS — City Councilman Tim Thomas says he’s under politically motivated attacks that falsely claim he’s breaking the law.

A statement emailed Monday to several midstate reporters accuses Thomas of still engaging in the bail bondsman business while serving in an elected capacity. That would be a misdemeanor offense under state law. Thomas said he first heard of the claim several weeks ago.

“From the day I was elected, I quit signing any bonds in the city or the county, and I haven’t done any since,” Thomas told The Telegraph. “There’s not a bond out from November 2013 (or later) that’s got my signature on it.”

Thomas said he quit the business the day after his 2013 election, weeks before he took office. He said he removed his name from all the bank accounts and completed all the other paperwork to separate himself from Parkway Bonding Co., which his family launched in 1972. His son and mother continue to sign bonds for the company. His son’s name is also Timothy Thomas, but he and the councilman have different middle names. Thomas said that could be contributing to some of the confusion.

Houston County Sheriff Cullen Talton said he and his chief deputy spoke several weeks ago and found no indication that Thomas was signing bonds.

“He used to sign some bonds, but when he got elected, to my knowledge he hasn’t signed any bonds,” Talton said.

Warner Robins Police Chief Brett Evans, City Attorney Jim Elliott and Mayor Randy Toms said their own inquiries found no evidence that Thomas was still signing bail bonds. The email to the media also said an ethics complaint would be filed with the state attorney general “requesting his office intervene since Mayor Randy Toms has chosen to ignore the law and protect Councilman Thomas.”

via Warner Robins councilman accused of illegally holding office; Thomas calls attack political | Politics | Macon.com.