Probe of Gray's 2010 political campaign may take longer to resolve Thompson is the alleged financier of an off-the-books shadow campaign for Gray (D). The mayor has not been charged and has declined to comment on the allegations, citing the ongoing investigation, but he has denied any wrongdoing. Prosecutors have appeared to be methodically building a case against Thompson; without identifying him by name, U.S. Attorney Ronald C. Machen Jr. said last month that the case was moving "extremely fast in pace." One by one, a series of Thompson's business associates and a former D.C. Council member have pleaded guilty to federal charges and implicated Thompson in several alleged campaign finance schemes. But the timeline changed in recent days because of a behind-the-scenes agreement between Thompson and federal prosecutors, according to several people with direct knowledge of the deal. The clock had been ticking for federal prosecutors to decide whether to file charges against Thompson before the statute of limitations expired. Most white-collar federal crimes carry a five-year statute of limitations, but it is not uncommon for either party to request a waiver. The five-year time limit to bring charges may have been pegged in part to 2008 activities outlined in charging documents. That year, a Thompson associate allegedly gave $14,650 to federal campaigns and committees at the direction of Thompson, who reimbursed the money. Gray has not said whether he will seek reelection in the Democratic primary, which is less than nine months away. As the investigation has dragged on, potential donors, supporters and other candidates have said they are unsure how to proceed. Phil Pannell, a veteran political activist in Ward 8, said residents have grown weary of the long-running investigation. "Most of the people that I speak with say, if the U.S. attorney has something, then he should come forward with it," he said. It really is a disservice to the city that it is taking this long. To have this type of ethical cloud over Mayor Gray's administration, it's not helpful in the least. Pannell also said the unresolved probes have affected next year's elections, which include a primary scheduled for April 1. "For an election that is nine months away, you should have a lot more energy around it," he said. People are hedging their bets because they don't know what the situation is going to be with Mayor Gray. Thompson's attorney, Brendan V. Sullivan Jr., declined to comment, as did a spokesman for the U.S. attorney's office.