Amid bribery scandal, D.C. Council member Trayon White faces removal from office
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Trayon White was elected to the D.C. Council in 2016. Photo: Allison Robbert for The Washington Post via Getty Images
Embattled D.C. Council member Trayon White is on course to be booted from office as he continues to fight federal charges that he accepted bribes.
Why it matters: Seeking to rebuild the public's trust, council members unanimously voted Monday in support of expelling White from his office representing Ward 8.
Between the lines: White hasn't been removed from office yet. A public hearing over his expulsion has been proposed to take place Jan. 28, after White is sworn in for his third term.
- A final vote to remove him from office could take place in the days after.
Context: Monday's vote came six days after an outside law firm's investigation found "substantial evidence" that White accepted $35,000 in cash from a businessman in exchange for help winning government contracts. The report, from Latham & Watkins, said White committed several violations of the D.C. Council's code of conduct.
- The FBI alleges White accepted $156,000 in total cash bribes to help a contractor, who became a government informant. White has pleaded not guilty in the federal case, which could go to trial next summer.
- White has so far declined three times to appear before the council to address its investigation's findings, though he will have another chance at the Jan. 28 meeting.
Inside the room: As his colleagues chided White on Monday, he sat in the front row of the chamber's audience section alongside about a dozen supporters, looking up to the dais and occasionally typing on his phone.
- Before the vote, White told reporters in a brief statement: "After $400,000 being spent, 22 people interviewed, and a 48-page document, they can't find one person to ever say I tried to bribe them."
- When later asked about allegations that he accepted bribes, White told reporters, "No comment."
What they're saying: "Trayon White is accused of taking bribes," council Chair Phil Mendelson said before the vote. "Our own independent investigation found substantial evidence he took bribes. This is quintessential corruption."
- Some lawmakers acknowledged White's service to his community representing some of D.C.'s most disadvantaged neighborhoods.
- But all of his colleagues in attendance voted to recommend expelling him, many arguing his alleged actions were egregious violations.
- "Beyond profound disappointment, we are also dealing with a serious breach of public trust," said council member Christina Henderson.
Flashback: It's the second time in five years a council ad hoc committee voted to support expelling a council member. Last time, in 2019, Jack Evans resigned before the final vote took place.