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Real Housewives of Atlanta star Cynthia Bailey’s ex-husband Peter Thomas was working on a selling a new television show about his life before he was hit with a 18-month prison sentence, In Touch can exclusively report.
According to court documents obtained by In Touch, Peter, 64, filed a series of letters written by his family and friends ahead of his December 19 sentencing. One of the letters that Peter submitted was from the President of a production company called Blue Collar Productions, Mark Rowen.
Mark wrote, “Blue Collar Productions is currently developing a TV series based on the life of Peter Thomas. The series will look at the current activities in Peter’s life, including his personal relationships, the opening of bars and restaurants, along with his legal issues.”
He added, “It will be done in the style of a real-life follow documentary, so that the opportunity for Mr. Thomas to comment on his views regarding his tax situation, the legal system and educating others on what they could be doing, will be present and available.”
Mark continued, “We are actively out selling the project and are hoping to have the project set-up with a buyer after the start of the new year and anticipate roughly 6 months of filming of Mr. Thomas and others in his world.”
“Mr. Thomas has told me that the salary he earns will go towards paying his current restitution, the substance of which, I do not have any details,” he added.
At his sentencing, the judge ordered Peter to serve 18 months in prison after he plead guilty to tax fraud. The judge also sentenced him to two years of probation after his release. Peter asked the court to not throw the book at him before the hearing. He proposed serving a one-year and one day sentence.
His lawyer said, “Mr. Thomas is a sixty-four year old serial entrepreneur who is incredibly remorseful for his failure to pay trust fund taxes. Mr. Thomas, has run and owned restaurants and clubs throughout the southeast and appeared regularly on the reality television show, Real Housewives of Atlanta. He is loved and respected by his community.”
Peter’s lawyer added, “He is a supportive father and loyal brother and son. He has used his social media platform to encourage others, in particular, small business owners, to prioritize their obligations to the IRS.” Peter’s lawyer said Peter opened his first restaurant in Georgia in 2014. He said he closed it the same year and opened another in North Carolina.
His attorney continued, “Both businesses struggled since nearly inception. As Mr. Thomas struggled to keep the businesses afloat, he chose not to pay trust fund taxes from the employee payroll. Mr. Thomas hoped that business would pick up and he could rectify his obligations, however, the debt hole continued to grow. As Mr. Thomas closed one club, he would open another in hopes that the new location or city would bring success and allow him to recover these debts.”
“In 2018, he opened Bar One – Miami that had some success but struggled to offset the high rent and cost of upfit. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic was a death knell to the Miami location. Bar One – Baltimore never got off the ground. With each business, the obligation became larger and larger,” his lawyer said.
In court, prosecutors accused Peter of failing to pay business taxes owed to the IRS during 2017 through 2023.
Peter owned a couple of restaurants in Florida and North Carolina. Peter will serve his time at a facility near Miami.
In addition, Peter has to enroll in a substance abuse testing program, per TMZ. Peter has yet to check into prison.
Cynthia, 57, and Peter were married from 2010 to 2017.
English (US) ·