Feds Charge D.C. Councilmember Trayon White with Bribery Offense

Washington — Trayon White, a member of the D.C. City Council, has been charged with bribery, as federal prosecutors allege he accepted over $150,000 in bribes to direct millions in government contracts. The accusations emerged after White was arrested by the FBI on Sunday, though specifics on his arrest have not been disclosed by the agency.

White, who represents Ward 8 in Southeast Washington, faces allegations stemming from his role as chair of the D.C. Council’s Committee on Recreation, Libraries and Youth Affairs. Prosecutors claim he exerted pressure on city employees to award government contracts valued at around $5.6 million to companies that provide services to at-risk youth and violence intervention programs.

According to a court affidavit, investigators used recordings made by the owner of a company involved in the case, who had secretly documented discussions with White between June and August regarding these government deals. This company owner has entered a plea agreement and agreed to cooperate with authorities in their inquiry against White.

The affidavit indicates that White received a total of $35,000 in cash over four meetings with the informant. Prosecutors provided evidence including still images from the alleged recordings that show White accepting cash-filled envelopes.

On July 17, the company owner allegedly suggested a 3% cut from the contracts with the D.C. government, to which White reportedly showed willingness to accept. Additional recordings captured their conversation about the potential collaboration linked to the city’s mental health services. It is alleged that on the same day, the company owner handed White an envelope containing $5,000, to which White remarked that he could “start making some s*** happen.”

Text messages included in the court documents further expose White’s attempts to secure contract renewals in exchange for payments. He reportedly instructed the informant to bring $10,000 to a meeting on July 25, where they discussed city employees responsible for the renewal process.

In his communications, White identifiable discussed strategies for influencing a specific government employee, stating, “It’s [Government Employee 4] and another lady.” He emphasized the importance of establishing ongoing contact with these employees, suggesting further manipulations to ensure the contracts renewal process would favor the company he was receiving payments from.

U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves stated that charges were announced at this time to prevent further potential misconduct regarding the contracts before they were finalized. “Because the investigation into the alleged bribery scheme involved contracts that could soon be awarded and other potential official acts that could be taken, our Office took swift steps to address the alleged crimes we were investigating,” he explained.

The affidavit also alleges a previous incident from 2020, in which White received a $20,000 bribe from the same informant who was already involved in a multi-million dollar contract dispute with the city. It is claimed White sought to influence city officials to resolve this matter in favor of the company, with the informant alleging that they also funded White’s trips to destinations such as Las Vegas and the Dominican Republic.

White, a 40-year-old native of Washington, D.C., has been serving on the City Council since 2017. In 2018, he gained notoriety for endorsing conspiracy theories that included antisemitic themes, which he later apologized for to the Jewish community.

The situation remains developing, and White’s attorney has yet to respond to requests for comments regarding the charges brought against him.

Source: CBS News