Federal authorities have accused a well-known councilmember from Washington D.C. of bribery, claiming he took over $150,000 in kickbacks and personal trips to the Dominican Republic and Las Vegas to help extend profitable contracts for businesses.

Councilmember Trayon White Sr. is facing bribery charges after a confidential informant reported to the FBI that White allegedly accepted bribes to facilitate $5.2 million worth of contracts from the city’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement and the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services, as revealed in federal court documents.

The Justice Department alleges that White received $156,000. These contracts were designated for two firms that provide violence intervention services in Washington D.C.

In a statement shared on his social media account, White acknowledged his office is aware of the complaint and that it has been passed on to the “appropriate legal authorities.” White has been a member of the D.C. city council since January 2017 and previously chaired the Committee on Recreation, Libraries, and Youth Affairs, which oversees the city’s youth rehabilitation services.

“We recognize the seriousness of this situation,” the statement noted. “We want to assure Ward 8 residents and stakeholders that our office is still fully operational and committed to public service.”

White had not provided a comment to YSL News immediately following the news. City Council Chairman Phil Mendelson described the accusations against White as “disturbing” and announced his removal from the recreation committee “until the federal charges are addressed.”

“The community expects us to be exemplary,” Mendelson said. “Not merely at our best, but surpassing everyone else. Regardless of whether that’s realistically achievable, the public deserves to hold us to fundamental standards of trust, integrity, and honesty.”

Councilmember Allegedly Took Bribes to Aid Business Owner

FBI Special Agent Matthew Gano reported in an affidavit that the informant reached a plea agreement with federal prosecutors, which mandated that the informant share details of all illegal activities engaged in prior to the agreement. The unnamed informant had owned and managed several businesses in the city and collaborated with White on the substantial contracts.

Gano stated that the informant recorded discussions with White during meetings where they talked about payments. White reportedly received payments after the informant secured contracts for city violence intervention, mental health, and youth reentry programs, as per court documents.

The informant disclosed to the FBI that they compensated White to leverage his position to influence government personnel at the youth rehabilitation and neighborhood safety departments for extending the contracts. Gano reported that the informant operated two distinct businesses involved in violence intervention with the city.

The informant claimed to have provided various gifts and trips to White in the Dominican Republic and Las Vegas.

“Continuing their corrupt dealings, White agreed in June 2024 to accept approximately $156,000 in undisclosed kickbacks and cash payments in exchange for using his position within the D.C. Council to coerce government employees, breaching his official responsibilities,” Gano noted.

According to the informant’s allegations, on June 26, White took a $15,000 bribe to endorse the informant’s company to the neighborhood safety office. They also discussed persuading another unnamed D.C. employee to renew an expiring contract with the informant’s business, as detailed in court documents.

The informant allegedly told White he would continue to pay him for his contract assistance: ‘you know, we link up I guess another two weeks. But like I was telling you, I’m be able to keep hitting you off. You know what I mean?’ During this exchange, the informant mimicked giving money to White, who responded: ‘Yea,'” Gano documented.

On July 17, they reconvened, and the informant handed White $5,000 for a contract, detailing that White would receive 3% of every signed contract. They initially dealt with the neighborhood safety office but later turned to the youth rehabilitation department, where the informant paid White an additional $10,000 in bribes, as per court records.

They continued their communications in August via WhatsApp regarding contract renewals with the two departments. Subsequently, the informant paid White an extra $5,000, according to federal documents.

“CHS 1 subsequently handed White an envelope containing the ‘half’ he requested, which was $5,000,” Gano recorded. “As he handed over the cash to White, CHS 1 remarked that this payment was made because ‘I know you’ve been handling your business.’

If found guilty, White could face a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.

Federal Contracts Set to Be Awarded Soon

Matthew Graves, the U.S. Attorney for D.C., announced that his office has taken quick action to respond to the alleged crimes as some contract awards are approaching, along with other potential official actions that may occur.

During a news conference on Monday, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser stated that she hasn’t reviewed the court documents regarding White’s charges.

“I am unaware of the details surrounding the allegations, but we intend to investigate them to understand their implications for the government,” Bowser explained.

White’s office reassured that services will proceed as usual but did not specify if any operations are impacted by the federal bribery investigation. In response to the allegations against White, Mendelson announced that he will create an ad-hoc committee to evaluate the situation before advising the council on White’s position within the city.

For inquiries, contact reporter Krystal Nurse at knurse@USATODAY.com. You can follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @KrystalRNurse.