Attorney John Henry Browne represents Allan Thomas in the drainage district trial. Sketch by Seattle-based artist Lois Silver.

Attorney John Henry Browne represents Allan Thomas in the drainage district trial. Sketch by Seattle-based artist Lois Silver.

A tale of dueling conspiracies at King County drainage district trial

Enumclaw’s Allan and Joann Thomas are in trial in Seattle on fraud charges.

It has been a tale of two conspiracies at the trial against former King County Drainage District 5 commissioner Allan Thomas and his wife, Joann Thomas.

It’s a case with implications for Enumclaw and beyond, as attorneys spotlight the oft-overlooked inner workings of special taxing districts and the increasing tension of urban development in rural places.

The first conspiracy presented to the jury May 9 in the U.S. District Court in Seattle is one you’ve probably heard before: Federal prosecutors, in their opening statement, claimed that Enumclaw dairy farmer Allan Thomas funneled taxpayer money intended for drainage improvements through shell companies, then pocketed the money to pay the bills on his own dairy farm.

Attorneys said they’ll demonstrate that between 2012 and 2019, Allan and Joann Thomas “executed a brazen scheme” to defraud the public, including forging signatures, fabricating public meetings and lying about maintenance work in the district. Allan Thomas had been commissioner of the district in Enumclaw for 37 years prior to resigning in 2019.

“This is a case about the trust (taxpayers) place in their public officials, and how the defendants broke that trust, by pocketing over $450,000 in money they promised to use for public good,” an attorney for the U.S. said.

But in the second conspiracy presented to jurors, the Thomas couple are the victims: Defense attorney Terrence Kellogg claimed that former City Attorney Mike Reynolds, eager to develop more land in the city, found his target in the expansive Thomas farm on the east side of town. Using the news media as his unwitting ally, he and the city crafted a plot to force Allan Thomas to relinquish the property, Kellogg said, so that city officials could turn it into something more profitable.

“I’m talking about the conspiracy by city officials, aided and abetted by the media, as a designed effort to strip Mr. Thomas of his family farm,” Kellogg said.

The farm comprises a full one-eighth of the size of the entire city of Enumclaw and one-third of all of Drainage District 5, Kellogg said in court.

“What a tax base for the city of Enumclaw” the Thomas property would be, Kellogg said: “Just imagine, instead of a flooding, challenged dairy, it could be a residential suburb. It could be developed. Instead of farms, you have postage-stamp residential condos.”

Joann and Allan Thomas are accused of conspiracy, aggravated identity theft, money laundering, and mail and wire fraud. Three attorneys represent the U.S. in court, while the Thomas couple, who may or may not testify, are flanked by their attorneys: Kellogg for Joann and Browne for Allan.

Jury selection took up most of Monday. Attorneys wrapped up opening statements Tuesday morning and the prosecution began their case calling Reynolds to the stand. Prosecutors plan to also call Ken Olson, a former commissioner of the district, and Alex Thomas, the son of Allan Thomas from a previous marriage, to testify.

The case is expected to run through the second and third weeks of May.

Special taxing districts raise money for highly specific work in communities and are typically overseen by locally-elected commissioners. Washington has 104 diking and drainage districts alone, according to a 2019 report from the Washington State Auditor. At Drainage District 5, like all others, elected commissioners are supposed to spend property taxes from residents of the district to keep the ditches clear and healthy, reducing the risk of flooding and helping fish migration.

Meanwhile, comprising 155 acres just north of Roosevelt Avenue, the Thomas farm is one of the only farmland preservation parcels inside city limits. For years, city officials have looked for ways to urbanize it, but changing the designation of the property would call for a countywide vote and a comprehensive plan change.

Enumclaw Mayor John Wise in 2007 wrote a letter to King County calling the farm’s operation “problematic due to encroaching urban development.” Former mayor Liz Reynolds said in 2013 that she envisioned turning the farm into an agriculture-tourism attraction, explaining that she would “hate to see a beautiful pastoral setting (like the Thomas Farm) turned into houses.”

FYI: Courtroom sketch

Photography was not allowed inside the courtroom, so this publication worked with Seattle-based artist Lois Silver, who took sketches of the proceedings for media covering the trial. Courtroom rules require all in attendance to wear face masks.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

Joann and Allan Thomas are flanked in court by their attorneys Terrence Kellogg (fourth from the right) and John Henry Browne (far right) on May 10, 2022. Judge Richard Jones is presiding over the case. Sketch by Seattle-based artist Lois Silver

Joann and Allan Thomas are flanked in court by their attorneys Terrence Kellogg (fourth from the right) and John Henry Browne (far right) on May 10, 2022. Judge Richard Jones is presiding over the case. Sketch by Seattle-based artist Lois Silver

More in Northwest

E. Bailey Medilo, 18, of Renton urged council members to vote “yes” on on the motion to adopt a minimum wage increase at the Dec. 4 meeting. Medilo is part of the “Raise the Wage in Renton” campaign, which began when they were 17 and a senior at Renton High School. Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.
Renton voters to decide on city’s minimum wage rate in February

Measure proposes setting pay at more than $19 per hour

Renton brothers Greg and Michael Chaikou. Courtesy photo.
Renton teen brothers volunteer to help Ukrainians learn English

Michael and Greg Chaikou were inspired to help Ukrainian immigrants affected by the war.

t
Three fatal shootings in Auburn in a week

Auburn Police and King County Sheriff’s Office continue to investigate.

Gov. Jay Inslee, along with Rivian associates, Renton Technical College staff and RTC students in front of a Rivian mobile service vehicle after the governor toured the new program space. Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.
Gov. Inslee visits Renton Technical College with EVs on agenda

Partnership between Rivian and RTC will allow students to become electric vehicle technicians.

Photo courtesy of Wild Waves Theme & Water Park
Wild Waves’ property owners in Federal Way prepare for rezoning

Agreement would allow more flexibility for development at the theme park, such as construction of a hotel.

t
Vandals spray-paint demands for Gaza cease-fire on U.S. Rep. Adam Smith’s Bellevue home

9th Congressional District covers parts of Bellevue, Renton, Kent, Federal Way and Auburn

King County Crime Dive podcast.
3 teen inmates escape | King County Crime Dive

In this episode, we take a closer look at Echo Glen Children’s Center, which recently saw another batch of escapes by juvenile inmates.

King County Crime Dive podcast.
Kirkland cop on paid leave | King County Crime Dive

In this episode, we take a closer look at a Kirkland police officer who is accused of harassing workers at bikini barista stands.

File Photo
Arrests made in Renton after armed carjacking in Newcastle

Two males, ages 21 and 16, were arrested at The Landing on Nov. 29

Renton Police Department. (File photo)
Renton Police investigate drive-by shooting near Hazen High School

At least two unidentified teens in a red vehicle shot at, but did not injure, a man driving an SUV.

Courtesy Photo, Auburn Police
Auburn Police investigate two homicides

Less than 10 hours apart on Nov. 28 and 29

Photo courtesy of James Jantos
Mercer Island High School marching band loves a parade | Photos

Band performs in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade