The fall of a rising star

But now, Thomas' political good fortune has disappeared. He faces charges of having had sexual relationship with a 15-year-old student while he was a teacher. He also allegedly brought an 18-year-old student on a trip to an education convention in San Francisco without permission from the student's parents. That triggered a separate investigation, which led the school board to recommend that state officials fire him.

The Gazette broke the story about Thomas' travel and has chronicled developments since then. Here are the stories:

June 7

• Thomas resigns after indictment; hearing cancelled
• Complaints slipped through cracks in Thomas case

• Thomas indicted on sex offense charge

• Lobbying begins for board seat in limbo

• O’Malley may have final say on Thomas following board’s OK
• Rules could be changed for student board member

• State approves Thomas's removal from school board

• Police ask students about Thomas ties
  Related: Report to the School Board on Nathanial Thomas

• School board wants Thomas out
• In Thomas, the fall of a rising star

• School board member Thomas turns himself in, won't resign

• School board member has not turned himself in
• School board member expected to turn himself in

• Results of probe into board trip awaited

• Parents, residents ask school board member to resign

• School board scrambles to address member's trip

• School board to meet regarding future of at-large member
• Board member barred from schools during probe

• Convention trip probed after student found with school board in San Francisco