Charged with bribery in federal court, D.C. Council member Trayon White Sr. (D-Ward 8) could face punishment from the council, including expulsion, after Chairman Phil Mendelson on Monday formed a committee to weigh the evidence against him.
White, who is running for reelection in November, is accused by federal prosecutors ofagreeing to accept a total of $156,000 in cash and kickbacks this summer in exchange for using his influence and position as a D.C. Council member to try to help a pair of companies lock down lucrative city contracts involving violence prevention.
After White’s arraignment in federal court, Mendelson said in a statement that he will establish an ad hoc committee to assess “the evidence of wrongdoing to the extent it is available” and make recommendations to the full council about what action, if any, to take against White. Under council rules, expelling White is the most severe action the council could take, which would require a supermajority vote. Other options include a reprimand or censure.
Mendelson is expected to appoint members to the committee this week. He said he’ll ask the committee to make a recommendation “as soon as possible,” noting that the “judicial process can be slower than the public’s right to accountable government.”
“The federal charges against Councilmember Trayon White are deeply disturbing,” Mendelson (D) said in a statement. “Notwithstanding the principle that a person is innocent until proven guilty, the allegations, together with the government’s affidavit, are a gut punch to the public trust in the Council.”
White’s attorney, Frederick D. Cooke Jr., declined to comment on the charges. White, who appeared in court on Monday, could not be reached for comment. White’s council office issued a statement late Monday acknowledging the criminal complaint and stating that the office “remains fully operational and steadfast in our commitment to serving the public.”
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