Oliver M. Thomas Jr. (born February 10, 1957), is a Democratic politician, actor, writer, and poet who has served on the New Orleans City Council since 2022.
While on city council, Thomas developed a reputation as a capable, responsive elected official; he gained a high level of popularity among both black and white voters.
In late 2001 and early 2002, Thomas took $15,000 in kickbacks from Stan "Pampy" Barre, a local businessman and associate of then-mayor Marc Morial.
Thomas agreed to Barre's terms, but also demanded and received one-third of the parking profits in kickbacks through one of his associates.
[3] On March 30, 2010, Thomas was released from Oakdale and moved into a halfway house in the New Orleans neighborhood of Gentilly to serve the final few months of his sentence.
[5] Not long after his release from prison, Thomas starred in Reflections: A Man and His Time, a biographical play co-written with Anthony Bean, about his political downfall and personal redemption.
[8] Following his divorce from Angelle Laraque, with whom he shares a daughter, Leah, and a son, Bradley, who has passed away, he married Jasmine Thomas.