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Washington D.C. Council member Trayon White has all local eyes on him after the FBI arrested him on Sunday (August 19). The Ward 8 representative is facing accusations of taking tens of thousands in bribes and kickbacks, per The Washington Post.
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Police cuffed Trayon White at his high-rise luxury apartment in Navy Yard, Southeast D.C. White spent a night in jail before police released him on Monday. He appeared before a judge beforehand at the U.S. District Court.
DC Councilman Trayon White in federal court after being charged with bribery. FBI claims he took $156,000 in cash to steer the district in renewing contracts for 2 companies. If convicted he faces up to 15 years in prison. Court pics source: Bill Hennesy pic.twitter.com/9PER3BF0Pm
— Scott Taylor : 7 News – WJLA TV (@ScottTaylorTV) August 19, 2024
Judge G. Michael Harvey reportedly ordered Trayon to surrender his passport and turn in any firearms but ultimately released him while he awaits his trial.
Here’s Why The FBI Reportedly Bagged Trayon White
He currently serves on the Committee on Recreation, Libraries, and Youth Affairs, overseeing decisions like the Dept. of Youth Rehabilitation Services and ONSE. The D.C. Department of Human Resources database reportedly lists White’s annual salary at $167,037.
In addition to being a current Washington D.C. Council member, White was favored to win a local election in November. Had he won, it would have marked his third term.
Now, the FBI is charging him with taking money in exchange for pressuring government employees to extend contracts aimed at helping at-risk youth and adults in the city. White reportedly used some of that money, which included cash-filled envelopes, to vacation in places like Las Vegas and the Dominican Republic.
Prosecutors say Trayon White accepted $156,000 in “kickbacks and cash payments” since June 2024, per an affidavit reviewed by The Washington Post. The exact transactions and contractors involved have yet to be disclosed. However, it is described as “a community-based initiative to serve high-risk youths and adults throughout D.C. and Maryland” in the affidavit.
Additionally, the outlet reports that the amount was Trayon’s payment to pressure decision-makers in the D.C. Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services and the Office of Neighborhood, Safety, and Engagement to extend contracts.
White’s arrest affidavit cites photo and text message evidence of the 40-year-old accepting bribes from an informant. One of the most recent transactions happened inside the informant’s car on August 9, 2024. On that day, Trayon accepted an envelope containing $5,000 inside.
Here are court doc photos (via @tomsherwood) which appear to show Trayon White, the DC Ward 8 councilman up for re-election, receiving envelopes with money. If convicted, White faces a max of 15 years in prison, fines of $250,000, or both. (on top of 3 years supervisory release) pic.twitter.com/oj1Rk8uwfM
— DMV News Live (@DCNewsLive) August 19, 2024
Before that, on July 17, he updated the informant on his effort to secure D.C. “grants” for the informant’s companies valued at $5.2 million. A different transaction with the information allegedly resulted in the exchange of $15,000. Moreover, Trayon White also allegedly agreed to accept a three percent kickback on one contract.
D.C. Mayor Reacts To Trayon’s Arrest
Mayor Muriel E. Bowser told reporters on Monday (August 19) that the FBI’s discovery is “very disappointing.”
“I’m sure that constituents across the city, especially in Ward 8, are disappointed. People need representation,” said Mayor Bowser. “They need people that go down to the Wilson Building and put them first, fight for them, and I know I speak for them in my disappointment about it.”
According to The Washington Post, if Trayon White is convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison. His next hearing is scheduled for September 19.
This is a developing story.
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