The DC Council will consider expelling Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White Sr. early next year after a 11-0 vote this morning by the committee charged with investigating whether there was “substantial evidence” of ethics violations in connection with the pending bribery charge against him.

White has pleaded not guilty in the criminal case, but his colleagues noted that the standard is different in the administrative process related to his obligations and duties as a councilmember. The committee concluded that there is sufficient evidence to demonstrate that White violated multiple council rules.

The Ad Hoc Committee in the Matter of Councilmember Trayon White — which relied on the independent report submitted last week by Latham & Watkins in making its own recommendation — is chaired by at-large Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie and consists of all councilmembers except White. Ward 7 Councilmember Vincent Gray did not participate in today’s meeting, having announced this fall that he would not vote on any matters in the remainder of his term due to health concerns.

This morning’s meeting opened with a recitation by McDuffie of the investigators’ findings, followed by a motion by DC Council Chair Phil Mendelson for the committee to recommend expulsion. A hearing is tentatively set for Jan. 28, when White can present a formal defense if he chooses to do so — though McDuffie noted that White declined multiple requests to speak to investigators.

“Let’s cut through the legal jargon. Trayon White is accused of taking bribes,” Mendelson said. “The prosecutors have established probable cause, our own independent investigation found substantial evidence that he took bribes, and public servants are prohibited from taking bribes. This is quintessential corruption.”

Click here for full story from the DC Line