On a warm Sunday afternoon in late August, Washington D.C. Democratic Councilmember Trayon White Sr. was arrested by federal authorities on charges of bribery. According to a Justice Department press release, White, who represents Ward 8, is accused of accepting over $156,000 in cash bribes from city contracting companies in exchange for using his political influence to secure contracts.
The FBI alleges that White took a series of cash payments from companies looking to renew their contracts with D.C. government agencies, including the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement and the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services. These contracts, valued at a total of $5.2 million, were meant to provide violence intervention services in several wards. In return for his influence, White allegedly received 3% of the contract’s value, pocketing $35,000 on four separate occasions in June, July, and August.
White, who is in his second term and currently running for a third, has held office since 2017. He also chairs the Council’s Committee on Recreation, Libraries, and Youth Affairs. Despite the serious charges against him, White has not yet stepped down from his position and remains a candidate in the upcoming November election.
The timing of White’s arrest raised questions, with D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson calling it “shocking” that it took place on a Sunday. However, U.S. Attorney for D.C. Matthew Graves said authorities had to act quickly, as new contracts were soon to be awarded based on White’s lobbying efforts.
“Our office took swift steps to address the alleged crimes we were investigating,” Graves explained, citing the urgency of the situation.
The bribery scheme was uncovered through the cooperation of an informant who had previously been caught attempting to defraud the federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
In exchange for a plea deal, the informant disclosed their “corrupt relationship” with White, prompting federal investigators to launch an investigation.
The informant secretly recorded several meetings with White, where the Councilmember accepted cash payments in exchange for his help.
In one of the recordings, White discussed a past failed attempt to pressure a government employee to resolve a contract dispute.
“I have to work and put everything in play… last time we was trying to do something like this, that shit messed up my relationship,” White said in the recording, confirming his involvement in the bribery scheme.
In addition to his role in securing contracts for violence intervention services, White allegedly accepted a $20,000 bribe in 2020 to influence officials in a separate contract dispute. One of the companies involved had previously held a $6 million contract with D.C.’s Department of Human Services, which was terminated in 2019 after the company falsified background checks. Despite White’s efforts, the company’s attempt to claim $1.6 million in damages was ultimately unsuccessful.
Sometimes in June of this year, White allegedly agreed to accept $156,000 in “undisclosed kickbacks and cash payments” in exchange for renewing contracts.
While accepting a $15,000 payment, White was recorded saying, “I don’t wanna feel like you gotta gimme something to get something. We better than that,” though he still took the money.
White’s office has responded to the allegations, acknowledging the seriousness of the situation while assuring Ward 8 residents that they remain committed to serving the public.
“We want to assure Ward 8 residents and stakeholders that our office remains fully operational,” a spokesperson said in a statement.
The D.C. Council is set to meet on September 17 to discuss White’s future, according to Council Chairman Mendelson. While the council may expel White, he will also be removed from his committee assignments later this month. White has until September 12 to decide whether to withdraw from the upcoming election.
If convicted, White faces up to 15 years in prison. His next court hearing is scheduled for September 19.