A physically free, but slightly disheveled, D.C. Councilmember Trayon White (D-Ward 8) walked out of a federal court building on Monday afternoon as a small group of friends and supporters surrounded him and shepherded him to a car that pulled up along Third Street NW in downtown D.C.
In the hours leading up to White’s release, friends, family, colleagues, and constituents alike questioned what triggered White’s Sunday afternoon arrest by FBI agents. However, as those who sat in the courtroom on Monday recounted, sadness gave way to anger and disbelief as a judge revealed the details of a criminal complaint charging White with bribery.
“I respectfully submit that there is probable cause to believe that White committed bribery,” FBI Special Agent Matthew Gano wrote in an affidavit supporting the criminal complaint and arrest warrant, “by agreeing to accept and accepting items of value in return for 1.) being influenced in the performance of official acts, 2.) being influenced to commit or aid in committing, or to collude in, or allow, any fraud, or make opportunity for the commission of any fraud on the U.S.; and 3.) being induced to do or omit to do any act in violation of his official duties.”
White allegedly agreed to accept $156,000 in cash payments in exchange for leveraging his political position to pressure employees in the Office of the Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (ONSE) and D.C. Department of Youth and Rehabilitative Services (DYRS) to extend contracts totaling $5.2 million for two companies that provide violence interruption services in the District.
If convicted, White faces 15 years of imprisonment. He’s due back to court on Sept. 19 for a status hearing.
White, chairman of the council’s Committee on Recreation, Libraries and Youth Affairs, conducts oversight of ONSE and DYRS. Parties identified in the affidavit include government employees in ONSE, DYRS, the Executive Office of the Mayor and the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia.
DYRS forwarded The Informer’s inquiry to the Executive Office of the Mayor. ONSE didn’t immediately respond.
According to the affidavit, White’s relationship with the person known as Confidential Human Source 1 started as early as early as 2020, when White allegedly accepted a $20,000 bribe to coerce an OAG employee into resolving a dispute involving the termination of Confidential Human Source 1’s contract.
Confidential Human Source 1, who recently pleaded guilty to Paycheck Program Protection fraud, disclosed prior criminal activity, including the alleged instance with White, as part of his plea agreement.
Companies owned by Confidential Human Source 1 provided violence interruption services in Wards 1, 4, and 5. Those companies are listed in the affidavit alongside a nonprofit that received three ONSE grants totaling more than $10 million during Fiscal Year 2024 to provide quality assurance, compliance and fiscal management to subgrantees.
White’s most recent alleged dealings with Confidential Human Source 1 involved White’s acceptance of approximately $35,000 in cash payments from Confidential Human Source 1 on June 26, July 17, July 25 and Aug. 9, while Confidential Human Source 1 was working with the FBI.
These surveillanced meetings in Confidential Human Source 1’s car often involved White discussing the terms of engagement, including his fee of 3% of each government contract acquired, and the details of his meetings with the government employees. White and Confidential Human Source 1 also explored the possibility of getting Confidential Human Source 1 into the mental healthcare space and the housing sector.
During at least one of these meetings, White emphasizes that he has at least four more years in office, and the power to dictate whether the high-ranking ONSE official he was pressuring on behalf of Confidential Human Source 1 gets confirmed by the D.C. Council.
Fred Cooke, White’s attorney, declined to comment on Monday.
What Lies Ahead for White
On June 4, White, a two-term council member, successfully defended his seat against Salim Adofo and Rahman Branch in the Ward 8 D.C. Council Democratic primary. With D.C. being a heavily Democratic city, White had virtually won reelection.
However, White’s future on the council seems to be in question. On Monday, D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D) announced White’s removal from the helm of the council’s Committee on Recreation, Libraries and Youth Affairs. Mendelson also revealed that, in accordance with the council’s rules, he will set up an ad hoc committee to examine the situation, including evidence of wrongdoing and questions about the council member’s residency.
“Unfortunately, it is impossible to create laws that actually prevent individuals from breaking the law. What does make a difference, however, is electing individuals who aspire to high ethical standards,” Mendelson said. “Citizens expect us to be the best. Not just our best selves, but a cut above everyone else. Regardless of whether that is achievable, the public has the right to hold us to the basic standards of trust, honesty and integrity.”
While visiting teachers at Alice Deal Middle School in Northwest on Monday, Bowser didn’t mince words as she too weighed in on the allegations.
“It’s very troubling and disappointing. People [in Ward 8] need representation. I speak for them in my disappointment,” Bowser said. “It distracts from the work that needs to be done. If we’re talking about offices that focus on keeping people out of the way and our focus on law enforcement strategies that puts these effective strategies at risk, people need to be held accountable.”
Reactions throughout Sunday and Monday ran the gamut, with some people relishing in the council member’s legal troubles, to others, like congressional candidate and Anacostia-based We Act Radio co-owner Kymone Freeman, questioning the legitimacy of the FBI and alluding to officials alleged to have committed relatively worse acts.
Freeman, who refers to himself as the “angry Black man in therapy,” lamented the connection of White’s charges to violence prevention funds. He also pointed out that White and others before him — Harry Thomas Jr. Michael Brown, Kwame Brown and Marion Barry — have faced legal repercussions while more established legislators, like former D.C. Councilmember Jack Evans, escaped prosecution and public embarrassment.
“They arrested Trayon White in Navy Yard, which is now part of his ward,” Freeman said. “They pulled him over, went through his car in the street, and arrested him. If it was Jack Evans, they would’ve done it discreetly. They wanted to humiliate this man. This was a public spectacle. That’s why my eyebrows are raised in giving my brother the benefit of a doubt.”