DC Councilman's SUV Ticketed, Booted

WASHINGTON - A D.C. Councilman's sport utility vehicle had a boot put on it after he did not pay over $650 in parking tickets. The boot was removed, but FOX 5 has learned the tickets remain unpaid.

Councilmember Harry Thomas from Ward 5 had his car booted last week. Thomas is now defending his parking perks.

"I was at a community meeting in my ward and I came out to find a boot on my car," explained Councilmember Harry Thomas, Jr., Ward 5.

FOX 5 also obtained a picture of Council Member Harry Thomas' Audi SUV being booted last Wednesday.

DMV records show the car with his license number was booted and is highlighted on bold red letters.

"As you know, two or more accumulate over time and you get a boot and you become boot eligible, so guess what I have to do. I have to pay for the boot whether I was right or wrong. I have to pay for it," said Thomas

Thomas paid the $75 to remove the boot. However, he didn't pay $655 in outstanding parking tickets-- like most people have to.

By Friday, Thomas was back at work at the Wilson Building. The boot was removed and he was driving again.

"It was a boot based on what I feel is an administrative error because some of the tickets were issued while I was on official business where we have a parking plate that allows us to park in certain areas," said Thomas.

The parking tickets date back to September 2009. The councilmember was cited for parking in a rush-hour lane, during street cleaning, leaving his car in a loading zone and parking in a bus zone.

"My office had written letters to make sure these were removed from the system. If they were not and there is an issue, we will pay them." said Thomas.

As of Monday, DMV records show the tickets remain unpaid. At least two are for $200 each and all make him eligible for the dreaded orange boot.

Thomas defended the parking perk on Monday.

"I don't mind paying a ticket. I don't want anyone to have the misinterpretation that we as members go out here and try and avoid parking rules and regulations. We adhere to them. I think we have a good accountability system. It does not put us above any particular law," said Thomas.

Thomas doesn't have a specialized plate like his colleagues and uses a window placard instead,

Now, that he got the boot, he admits it may be time to get one to protect his parking privileges.

Harry Thomas says if there is a discrepancy on whether or not he was on official business, he'll pay the ticket.

The council voted in 2002 to exempt itself from having to pay most parking tickets when on official business.