Washington D.C. Councilmember Trayon White Under Investigation for Alleged $156,000 Bribery!
Federal agents have charged Washington, D.C. Councilmember Trayon White Sr. with bribery, accusing him of accepting over $150,000 in kickbacks. According to federal court documents, White allegedly received this money and trips to the Dominican Republic and Las Vegas as part of a scheme to extend profitable contracts to companies.
The charges against White stem from a tip provided to the FBI by a confidential source. This source revealed that White had accepted bribes to secure $5.2 million in contracts for the city’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement and Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services. The contracts were awarded to two companies tasked with providing violence intervention services in D.C.
The Justice Department claims that White took a total of $156,000 in bribes. The contracts involved were crucial for the city’s efforts to combat violence and support youth rehabilitation programs.
White addressed the situation on his X (formerly Twitter) account, stating that his office is aware of the complaint and that it is now being handled by the appropriate legal authorities. White, who has been a member of the Washington City Council since January 2017, previously chaired the Committee on Recreation, Libraries, and Youth Affairs, which oversees the city’s youth rehab services.
“We recognize the seriousness of this matter,” White’s statement read. “We want to assure Ward 8 residents and stakeholders that our office remains fully operational and steadfast in our commitment to serving the public.”
White did not immediately respond to requests for comment from USA TODAY. City Council Chairman Phil Mendelson called the allegations “disturbing” and announced that White would be removed from the recreation committee until the federal charges are resolved.
“Citizens expect us to be the best,” Mendelson said. “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.”
FBI Special Agent Matthew Gano revealed that the confidential source had agreed to a plea deal, which required them to disclose all illegal activities they were involved in before the deal.
The source, who managed businesses in the city and worked with White on the contracts, recorded meetings with White discussing payments. According to court documents, White received payments after the source secured contracts for violence intervention, mental health, and youth reentry programs.
The confidential source reported to the FBI that they provided White with various gifts and travel perks, including trips to the Dominican Republic and Las Vegas. Gano’s affidavit detailed that in June 2024.
White agreed to accept approximately $156,000 in undisclosed kickbacks and cash payments in exchange for using his position to pressure D.C. employees into extending the source’s contracts, which violated his official duties.