In bribery trial, Trayon White's defense tries to discredit star witness

Driving the news: Prosecutors spent most of the first day of White's trial Tuesday showing jurors covertly recorded videos of White and Kamara in a car discussing government contracts.

• The scheme, as alleged, involves White taking $35,000 in cash — supplied to Kamara by the FBI — in exchange for helping Kamara secure contracts for violence prevention work.
• Kamara began cooperating with the FBI in 2024 after pleading guilty to bank fraud and bribing a D.C. employee.
• Lead prosecutor John Crabb showed jurors a sealed evidence bag with a handwritten note inside, a so-called "bribe agreement."

The other side: White's defense attorney, Gary Kohlman, called Kamara a "snitch" and portrayed him as a corrupt contractor who defrauded the government of pandemic relief funds, then turned on friends and business partners when he got caught.

• And in a twist, Kohlman claimed a tale of betrayal: Kamara and White are brothers-in-law. "One family member to try to set up another."

• White doesn't deny taking the cash, but Kohlman argued his inquiries about Kamara's pending contracts were no different than a "council member asking for the status of a pothole."

What's next: D.C. deputy mayor for public safety Lindsey Appiah — who oversees violence prevention programs — is expected to take the witness stand on Wednesday.