Clankity clanky! Another reality star has entered the federal prison system. Real Housewives of Atlanta alum Peter Thomas just turned himself in to serve an 18-month sentence. The ex-husband of Cynthia Bailey took a plea deal for his role in a tax fraud scheme. Now, the disgraced restaurateur has a warning for anyone who is thinking about following in his footsteps.
Peter Thomas says “the law is the law” before his prison stay
Of course, Peter is no stranger to financial problems after having faced multiple lawsuits and closures over the years for his various businesses. It all caught up to him last year when federal prosecutors accused him of stealing $2.5 million of payroll taxes from his employees.
The prosecutors said, “Thomas’s flagrant violation of his federal payroll tax obligations over many years that served to unjustly enrich his companies and himself by more than $2.5 million and deprive the federal government funds used to provide important retirement and disability benefits to employees.”
Peter wound up taking a plea deal, meaning he only has to serve 18 months in prison. He kicked off Memorial Day Weekend 2025 by surrendering himself to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. He shared a photo from outside the prison along with a message for other aspiring business owners.
“All my people told me not to post this, that I am crazy if I do, I am not CRAZY, just real as f*ck,” Peter wrote on Instagram.
Anytime a post starts with a caption like that, you know you’re in for a doozy. Sure enough, Peter went on to type up a lengthy caption urging other business owners to pay their taxes. He doesn’t want to see other entrepreneurs wind up behind bars like him.
“The first thing I must say to all new business owner [sic], please pay that withholding tax, you do not want to be in the position that I am right now, THE LAW IS THE LAW,” he added.
According to Peter, who is 64 years old, the next 18 months are going to be a “new chapter” in his life. He said he wants to be an example of accountability and responsibility for his “3 black son [sic].”
After sharing that touching message, Cynthia’s ex was whisked away to carry out his sentence. We’ll see you in 2026, Peter.
The Real Housewives of Atlanta airs on Sundays at 8/7c on Bravo.
TELL US – DO YOU HAVE ANY WORDS OF SUPPORT FOR PETER AS HE BEGINS HIS NEW CHAPTER? DO YOU THINK HE WILL HAVE TO SERVE HIS FULL 18-MONTH SENTENCE?
