Sting operation
The FBI has arrested a Washington DC Councilmember for allegedly accepting tens of thousands of dollars in bribes. Trayon White Sr. is facing accusations of taking payments in return for pressuring government members to direct contracts toward the person giving the kickbacks.
took bribes from a local business leader without realizing he was wearing a wire
The court documents show that the 40-year-old took bribes from a local business leader without realizing he was wearing a wire and working with the FBI. In one case, the person handed over an envelope containing $5,000 in cash to White and told him to reach out to two unnamed government employees to pressure them.
White voted in support of launching an open betting market in DC in June, which was previously under the monopoly control of Intralot.
Dodgy backroom deals
It is unclear if White’s efforts ultimately impacted the issuance of contracts.
The FBI has documentation of four meetings between June and August in which White accepted roughly $35,000 in bribes and agreed to take $156,000 from a business leader, which was 3% of the value of the contracts he planned to award. He even allegedly received kickbacks in the form of trips to Las Vegas and the Dominican Republic.
White’s office issued a statement on Monday night to reassure the residents in Ward 8 and other stakeholders that the office “remains fully operational and steadfast in our commitment to serving the public.”
The fallout
Government officials confirmed their intentions to take away White’s position as chairperson of the Committee on Recreation, Libraries, and Youth Affairs after his arrest on Sunday, and an internal investigation will take place that could lead to his expulsion from the council.
bribery charge carries a prison sentence of up to 15 years if he is found guilty
White secured his release from custody following a US District Court appearance on Monday, having to give up any firearms and his passport as he awaits trial. The bribery charge carries a prison sentence of up to 15 years if he is found guilty and the next hearing takes place on September 19.
White first won an election in 2011, earning him a spot on the DC State Board of Education. He was favored to secure re-election in November before the allegations came to light. White has faced scrutiny recently over discrepancies involving campaign finance, which led to a $40,000 fine earlier this year.