A former Hartford pastor who serves on the City Council will seek to enter a pretrial diversionary program to resolve allegations he embezzled money from a local church.
Alexander Thomas, who was arrested in October 2024 on charges of second degree larceny and second degree money laundering, filed an application with the court last month to enter 黑料新闻鈥檚 accelerated pretrial rehabilitation program.
The diversionary program allows people facing certain charges to avoid a potential criminal conviction. If Thomas is accepted, charges against him would be dismissed upon completing the program, which can include conditions such as paying restitution and doing community service. Participants also remain under court supervision for up to two years.
Thomas, 28, was previously an associate pastor at Hartford鈥檚 South Church. Police allege he misused a church credit card to direct $14,349 to a pair of entities they describe as shell companies, then on to his personal accounts. He allegedly spent the money on things like fast food, leisure activities and bills, according to records filed in court.
Thomas is currently undergoing screening by the court鈥檚 Adult Probation Services office to determine his eligibility for accelerated rehabilitation. He will appear in court again June 25 for a decision. In the interim, court officials have sealed his case files, as required by statute.
Ronald Johnson, a lawyer representing Thomas, did not respond to requests for comment. Johnson said previously that he was withholding comment on the case until reviewing the available evidence.
"Mr. Thomas is an incredibly talented young man," he said, speaking outside court in December. "He has a bright future."
Thomas served as director of family ministry at South Church. He led its youth programs for two years, including an after-school program on Friday nights that drew more than a dozen Hartford youth.
Rev. Adam Thomas S枚derberg, senior pastor at the church, said it was difficult to rebuild trust with many young churchgoers after the arrest. Youth programming has moved to Wednesday nights, and no longer draws the same number of participants, he said.
鈥淚t has had some deep scars, if you will,鈥� S枚derberg said. 鈥淭here has been some real damage done amongst our membership. Some people have left. It's been a struggle to get back on our feet, but we're doing the best we can.鈥�
Church leaders removed Thomas from his position last year after they became aware of charges made to a church credit card, then filed a police report. S枚derberg said they chose to come forward in part because Thomas also serves as a public official in the city.
S枚derberg said opinions are mixed in his congregation about a just outcome in the case. S枚derberg said he supports diversionary programs, but also believes strongly that Thomas should admit guilt if he engaged in misconduct.
鈥淐hurch is all about repentance and forgiveness and mercy and grace, but before those things take place, there's always a confession,鈥� S枚derberg said. 鈥淎n admission of guilt and taking accountability. And that's what I was after.鈥�
At a hearing in May, Thomas waived his right to a speedy trial, and agreed to grant the state permission to refile the charges against him in the future if he violates the terms of the diversionary program, which are prerequisites for participation.
Both charges filed against Thomas are Class C felonies. Under state law, defendants facing such charges are ineligible for accelerated rehabilitation unless they show 鈥済ood cause鈥� why they should be accepted.
Johnson, the lawyer, said in court he will draft a memorandum in support of the application and present his arguments at this month鈥檚 hearing.
Johnson added that Thomas will pay back 鈥渢he money that's owed.鈥� He said Thomas deposited $14,349 into his law firm's holding account, which is available to distribute.
Responding last month to questions from a judge, a state prosecutor said he would discuss the application for pretrial diversion with Hartford State's Attorney Sharmese Walcott.
"I can't, obviously, speak for her or what's happening here,鈥� the prosecutor said. 鈥淪he did make notes of $14,349 should be donated to charity, but I need to follow up."
Walcott said in an email that her office is discussing restitution with the victim, and that the victim's input will influence whether her office objects to the application for pretrial diversion. Walcott added that if a judge places Thomas into the program, Thomas should "engage in a course of treatment to ensure this lapse of judgment and betrayal of trust does not occur again."
"The behavior is morally reprehensible 鈥� embezzling from a religious organization 鈥� but we remain open to hearing the victim's position," she wrote.
In addition to his role at the church, Thomas assumed public office in January 2024 as a first-term Hartford city councilman from the Working Families Party, a minor party that advances progressive causes. Since his arrest, Thomas has faced calls from the party to resign.
Council President Shirley Surgeon has not directly responded to questions about removing or replacing Thomas. She said previously that members must uphold the 鈥渧alues and trust placed in us" by residents.
"There鈥檚 an appropriate legal process in place, and I trust our local law enforcement to see that process through," Surgeon said in a written statement in October. "In the meantime, the City Council remains focused on serving the residents of Hartford."
