One or more offices of one of D.C. politics’ biggest political contributors, Jeff Thompson, was raided by law enforcement today, according to two sources familiar with the situation.
A spokeswoman for the FBI would only say that there was “law enforcement action” today but declined to elaborate.
Thompson, an accountant who owns a managed care organization that handles one of the District’s largest contracts, is one of the biggest political donors and fundraisers in city politics.
So yeah, this could be a pretty big deal.
You can read up on some Thompson’s background here. LL will have more updates as more information becomes available.
UPDATE: A spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Bill Miller, sends along this statement:
Law enforcement activities were conducted today as part of an ongoing investigation.
We can confirm that there were no arrests today and that no charges have been filed as of this time. Due to the ongoing nature of our inquiry, we are unable to comment any further about today’s developments.
Saturday Morning Update:
WJLA reported last night that the FBI raided Thompson’s home, as well as the home and/or office of Thompson’s long-time spokeswoman, Jeanne Harris, were also raided. The Post follows up with information that the IRS was involved in the raid. No one seems to know exactly why the feds are all up in Thompson’s business, but the Post suggests the raid could be connected to the ongoing probe of Mayor Vince Gray‘s 2010 campaign. Per the Post: “According to one person with knowledge of the Gray campaign, the mayor was reluctant in 2010 to use Thompson to help bankroll his campaign. But Gray softened after a meeting that was brokered by Reuben O. Charles II, who had a key role in Gray’s fundraising.”
Fun facts: Mayoral accuser Sulaimon Brown used to work for Thompson’s accounting firm. And Ward 6 Councilmartyr Saint Tommy Wells is the only sitting councilmember who hasn’t received a dime in political contributions from anyone connected to Thompson (at least according to LL’s research).