Richard Thomas was a prominent figure in Montgomery as a dedicated math teacher and businessman. After retiring, Thomas opened Top Flight nightclub and was able to bring major artists to his city. But in 1994, a racist prosecutor began investigating Thomas and searching for ways to take his wealth. Thomas was eventually robbed for over $120,000 by police who were searching for drugs.
Although no drugs were found, Thomas was later prosecuted for giving a sports line over the phone. In his book, Drug Conspiracy, Thomas writes about the racial elements that come into play when dealing with the law. –amir shaw
When did you realize that you were being targeted by authorities in Montgomery?
I was caught up in a drug conspiracy that didn’t have anything to do with me. There was a racist prosecutor in Montgomery who was over the drug task force. He interviewed me and told me that I had more cash than he made in a year. He also said that I had a home twice as large as his. I told him that I built houses. There were 19 white men who were indicted with me, but the prosecutor targeted me. But a man who was involved spoke out and said I didn’t have anything to do with selling drugs.
How did your life change?
The prosecutor sent one of my students to arrest me. He took over $120,000 cash from me after going into my safe. They didn’t find any drugs in my home. I had been saving money since I was 20, but they robbed me of my savings. He later charged me with transmission and wagering info over the wire. I was fined $17,000 and three years probation. I said the sports line over the telephone.
What advice do you have for young blacks who may experience similar situations?
My life was ruined, so I wrote the book so young black men can know what can happen when you run into the wrong prosecutor. I want people to stay away from drugs. I never fooled with it in any way. It’s a stacked deck against blacks in the courts. If you’re dirty in any way, you will face every charge that they want to throw at you.
