WASHINGTON — D.C.’s Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White used his position to pressure government agencies to renew lucrative public safety contracts in exchange for tens of thousands of dollars in cash and the promise of further kickbacks, according to a federal bribery charge unsealed Monday.
White's office issued a statement for the first time since his arrest Sunday afternoon:
"The Office of Councilmember Trayon White, Sr. acknowledges the recent criminal complaint against Councilmember White. This matter is in the hands of the appropriate legal authorities, who will oversee the necessary proceedings.
We recognize the seriousness of this matter. We want to assure Ward 8 residents and stakeholders that our office remains fully operational and steadfast in our commitment to serving the public. Our staff continues to work diligently to address the needs and concerns of our constituents, ensuring that essential services and
initiatives are not disrupted.
We appreciate the continued support and understanding of the community as we
navigate this situation."
White made his first appearance before a magistrate judge Monday afternoon. White, who was arrested at his home on Sunday, entered court in a grey jail sweatshirt as approximately 40 supporters looked on from the public gallery. He was released the same day on orders to surrender his passport and notify his probation officer of any travel more than 50 miles outside of D.C.
According to an affidavit unsealed Monday morning, White was named earlier this month by a confidential human source (CHS) who accepted a plea agreement with the government on one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud. The source reported a corrupt relationship with White going back to 2019, roughly two years into his first term on the council.
In charging documents, investigators describe multiple alleged conversations between White and the CHS about White using his position on the council to pressure government officials at the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement and the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services to renew contracts with companies owned by CHS. The contracts, which focused on violence intervention services, were worth more than $5 million to the CHS’ companies. According to investigators, White expected to receive more than $150,000 in kickbacks if the contracts were renewed.
Between June and July, the CHS recorded multiple conversations with White in which they discussed the status of the contracts. Charging documents include still images from those recordings showing White, according to investigators, accepting white envelopes filled with $5,000-$15,000 in cash on each occasion and amounting to $35,000 total. According to charging documents, White also suggested other avenues through which he and the CHS could work together. During a meeting on June 26, White – who won the Democratic primary for his council seat just weeks earlier – suggested they look at mental health contracts.
“What I want you to start thinking about is how we get into the mental health space,” White allegedly said. “Got four more new years.”
The following month, according to charging documents, White and the CHS agreed upon a 3% kickback rate if the contracts were approved. During the meeting, White allegedly said he had told a government employee at ONSE seeking a permanent high-ranking position that he could only be “supportive” if the CHS’ contracts were renewed. White also again allegedly raised the prospect of the CHS seeking mental health contracts.
“That s*** a cash cow,” White said, according to charging documents.
Investigators said White also suggested one more area they could work on: housing.
“Once you and I lock eyes and gets to an understanding, I gets to work,” White said, according to the affidavit. “I can start making some s*** happen.”
In total, investigators said White and the CHS discussed him receiving $156,000 in kickbacks for shepherding at least four contracts through the renewal process. One of them was a $500,000 contract for DYRS’ Credible Messenger program, which pairs formerly incarcerated individuals who have turned their lives around with youths admitted into DYRS. Investigators said White was to be paid a $15,000 kickback if the CHS’ company was awarded the contract.
White, who chairs the Committee on Recreation, Libraries and Youth Affairs which oversees, among other agencies, DYRS, reportedly bragged about his ability to influence violence-related spending.
“I’m a huge voice when it comes to violence prevention and the Council,” White reportedly said. “Just cause who I am, you know, the work I’ve been doing.”
White is the founder of multiple non-profit organizations, including Helping Inner City Kids Succeed, Inc., and Manpower DC. He has served on the D.C. Council since 2017, and mounted an unsuccessful primary challenge against Mayor Muriel Bowser in 2022.
White is being represented by attorney Frederick D. Cooke Jr. If convicted of bribery, White could face up to 15 years in prison and disqualification from holding public office.
White waived a preliminary hearing and was ordered to return to court for a status conference on Sept. 19 at 3 p.m.
On Monday afternoon, D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson said he planned to established a committee to look into the allegations against White and to remove White as chairman of the Committee on Recreation, Libraries and Youth Affairs.
“The federal charges against Councilmember Trayon White are deeply disturbing," Mendelson said in a written statement. "Notwithstanding the principle that a person is innocent until proven guilty, the allegations, together with the government’s affidavit, are a gut punch to the public trust in the Council."
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said she was not aware of the bribery case until the DOJ announced its case Monday. Bowser said the city would look into the allegations, saying, "We have systems in place and laws in place and it sounds like those systems are working the right way."
READ: The full affidavit below