With a recent Free Lance-Star article and information released by the Virginia Freedom Caucus, there are very serious questions about Bob Thomas’ questionable business practices even as he casts himself as a successful Virginia businessman. In fact, the hallmark of his campaign has been “character matters” and he touts his business experience.
I am retired Colonel and former program manager, Thomas’ business lapses, loss of good standing with the Virginia State Corporation Commission, judgment against his company Capriccio Software Inc., and lien placed on it by the State of New Jersey, all raise the question–why is he even running for Delegate when his own business is in such chaos?
The Virginia Freedom Caucus has provided documents and undeniable proof of these facts. I want to give him the benefit of the doubt but simply can’t find any justification for these failures.
In the Free Lance-Star article “Thomas says error caused SCC lapse for business,” he tries to explain the SCC revoking the status of Capriccio Software, Inc. as a mere error. According to guidelines by the SCC this is very serious and the status cannot be reinstated for 5 years. Thomas said he recently “learned about the issue” and blamed the error on his move to another business location.
Yet his website – until a few days ago – listed his business location as 150 Riverside Parkway Suite 201. He moved his business to a rental home he owns. Why is he hiding his business address?
The facts don’t add up. He apparently moved Capriccio Software, Inc., in February 2015, over two years ago. He knew well enough to file the address change with the FCC in that same timeframe yet he somehow forgot to renew his SCC registration, pay his fees to do business in Virginia and report his company’s official organization papers? According to SCC guidelines, he shouldn’t even be doing business in Virginia. How is his company doing federal contracts? He blamed all of this on his change of address because the notice wasn’t forwarded to his rental home, where he re-located. That too doesn’t add up because he has a registered agent who receives the paperwork for all SCC filings.
There are also questions raised about an alleged $90,000 back rent owed to Rich Ward, a large landowner in Stafford County with several upcoming land use projects before the Board of Supervisors, on which Thomas serves. Thomas admitted “renegotiating the lease.”
The General Assembly has recently tightened ethics laws and now requires two statement of economic interests to be filed with the newly created State Ethics Commission. It appears that Bob Thomas never reported this business association – whether or not it should be counted as an in-kind donation for campaign finance or as a business relationship disclosure because of pending zoning requests by this association coming before the Board of Supervisors.
I wish Bob Thomas had been more forthcoming. I’m concerned about the undeniable evidence of these lapses. Anyone considering voting for Thomas should study these facts and truly weigh why Bob Thomas should be elected to the Virginia General Assembly. Competence matters. Character matters.
