After his release following a six-day stint in Miami-Dade County Jail on bad check charges, Peter Thomas is explaining his side of the story.
The one-time Bravolebrity was apprehended at Miami International Airport last week on an arrest warrant from Louisiana. By Wednesday, March 7, E! News reported the former “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star was released from custody Tuesday night.
“It was an unfortunate misunderstanding,’ Thomas’ attorney, Keith Doley told the entertainment website of his client. “There was no intent on Mr. Thomas’ part to not pay. There was a misunderstanding about a performance that didn’t happen. It’s all been resolved.”
Doley issued a $4,000 check on behalf of his client, who was arrested Friday following a trip to Jamaica for bouncing a check in that amount. Doley said the St. John the Baptist Parish District Attorney’s Office is no longer looking to press charges against Thomas.
Meanwhile, the bar and club owner took to Instagram Wednesday night to clear the air about rumors surrounding his jail time.
Dressed in a gray suit and striped tie while sitting directly in front of the camera, Thomas said he arrived in Miami following “a successful meeting” with the Jamaica Tourist Board.
“I got arrested on a fugitive warrant that I didn’t know about. I thought that incident was squashed,” he says.
Thomas went on to explain he had singer Keri Hilson perform at his venue, Club One, during the NBA All-Star Weekend last year. He said the person he used to book Hilson was attempting to go ahead and book Chico DeBarge for another show.
“But I had concern and Chico is a friend of mine,” Thomas says. “And the gentleman that were the go-between the so-called agency, I deposited the check in his account for $4,000. The same time I deposited that check, my checking account was compromised. The bank shut it down. That means somebody [got] my debit card, was using it everywhere.”
“I got a letter from the bank and sent it to this gentleman after he called spazzing about spending $1,200 because he already advanced the artist money and the whole attitude wasn’t right,” he continues. “So I said, ‘You know what? Maybe we should go in a different direction.’ But he still wanted me to send him money and I didn’t know what for because we didn’t buy the act, the act never came to the state of North Carolina, never performed at my club, so I don’t see myself owing him anything.”
Thomas explained the man went to the state attorney in St. John the Baptist Parish, La., where Thomas said he had never visited before, and reported a worthless $4,000 check.
“I don’t know why he would do that, because nothing was exchanged,” the star says.
Thomas said he received a letter from the DA two months later and sent her the letter from the bank after explaining the situation. He added he never heard back from her after the DA said she’d get back in touch him.
Atlanta Black Star has reached out to District Attorney Bridget A. Dinvaut for comment.
“I never knew there was a warrant for my arrest,” he says. “That’s how this all started. … I’ve never been in jail and spent more than … in and out on some false accusation all the time. But six days I spent in jail, 23 hours a day in a cell. ‘Celebrity status’ I have, make them put me around no one for six days, 23 hours a day. I don’t wish that on anyone.”
Thomas detailed his experience in jail, saying he was on high blood pressure and anti-anxiety medication in order to cope with his claustrophobia from being in the cell. He said he ate bread and water every day and “never thought I was gonna come out. I thought I was gonna have a heart attack.”
The star was appreciative of the officers and his fellow inmates who assisted him, however, including two security guards and “two Latin inmates that brought me fruits.” He also vowed to put money on a man’s commissary who brought him “a bag of goodies” when he was moved to a different cell.
“That showed me that even in jail, people have heart.”
Thomas started wrapping the clip by calling out “the haters” saying, “I’m gonna give you even more to talk about because I’m only gonna rise, baby.” Thomas then recited Psalm 23:4, noting he recited that Bible verse every day he was in jail.
“[God] got my back,” he says. “There’s nothing that y’all can do that could f me up. I’m not supposed to curse, especially when I’m talking about God. Thank you for everybody that wished me well.
“They treat you like animals in there, they feed you like animals. It’s crazy! But there’s a reason for everything. I’m focused. And I’m only gonna get better,” he concluded.
In the comments, fans gave Thomas their full support.
“It is what it is, no explanation needed.”
“Keep strong Peter.”
“🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿 Respect mi bredren.”
