DC councilmember Trayon White charged with bribery

On Monday (19 August) DC Councilmember Trayon White was charged with bribery after the FBI arrested him on Sunday (18 August). White is accused of taking $156,000 in “kickbacks and cash payment” according to a federal affidavit.

White was a member of the DC Council in 2019 when it agreed to leglalise single-source digital sports betting. DC Lottery partner Intralot got the wagering contract without a bid process. White was absent the day of that vote, but in June 2024 voted to pass a budget that opened the market.

Throughout the 2024 process, however, stakeholders were unsure how White, who was often absent from meetings, would vote. In the end, he lined up in favour and the budget unanimously passed.

According to a federal affidavit filed Friday and unsealed Monday, White took cash and other bribes to convince city government employees to extend contracts for vendors that would benefit at-risk youth. White, from Ward 8, an impoverished part of the District, has been a champion for the underserved in DC. He is the chairperson for the committee on recreation, libraries and youth affairs.

White reportedly was arrested at a luxury high-rise apartment building outside of his ward.

DC Council has a history for scandalous behaviour
The scandal is the second major one for the council since 2019, when then-chair Jack Evans was removed from the council for ethical issues. Evans was the author of DC’s original legal sports betting bill.

According to the affidavit, White took envelopes of cash on more than one occasion as well as trips to multiple locations in and out of the US. The kickbacks were in exchange for pushing forward $5.2m in contracts between the DC department of youth rehabilitation services and the office of neighborhood, safety and engagement. White agreed to a 3% kickback on the contracts.

According to the affidavit, the FBI recorded conversations between White and a DC government contractor. That person pleaded guilty to fraud charges and has shared additional information with law enforcement agencies.

Trayon White lied on financial disclosures
DC councilmembers are required to file annual financial disclosures. White signed one on 15 May. In the disclosures, councilmembers must report if they were offered or accepted bribes or if they received “anything of value, including a gift or a political contribution” in exchange for the councilmember acting in a certain way. The disclosure also mandates that councilmembers admit if they received any government funds through “illegal or improper means”.

White allegedly took multiple cash payments dating back to 2020.

After spending the night in jail, magistrate judge G Michael Harvey agreed to release White while he awaits trial. The city councilman was required to give up his passport and any firearms that he owns. If convicted, White could face up to 15 years in prison. The next hearing is on 19 September in the US District Court for the District of Columbia.

According to multiple media reports, DC mayor Muriel Bowser told the press on Monday that White’s situation is “troubling” and “disappointing”.

White has a history of financial transgressions with relation to his office. In February, the DC office of campaign finance wrote White a letter recommending that he be mandated to pay $58,906.29 to the city treasury following his failed 2022 mayoral run. The auditors found that White and his committee did not properly account for campaign spending.

As of Monday afternoon, the DC council had not taken action with regard to White’s position.