Councilman Trayon White finds himself at the center of a quickly escalating bribery scandal that has sent shockwaves through the city’s political landscape. Authorities said that White, representing Ward 8 in Southeast D.C., was arrested by the FBI on Sunday on charges of accepting bribes in exchange for using his elected position to steer lucrative government contracts toward specific companies.
White Reportedly Abused His Councilman Status
Federal prosecutors accuse White of agreeing to take $156,000 in kickbacks—about 3% of the total value of the contracts—to ensure that multimillion-dollar city contracts related to violence intervention services went to specific businesses. The allegations are backed by recordings of conversations between White and a local businessman cooperating with law enforcement as an informant.
During the recorded meetings, White allegedly suggested to the informant he was under some financial duress, saying he was “hurting” and in need of money. He reportedly accepted an envelope stuffed with thousands of dollars in cash while insisting the emerging business connection would not be strictly quid pro quo.
“I don’t wanna feel like you gotta gimme something to get something. We better than that.”
Alleged conversation between White and a police informant
The councilman’s office responded to the scandal with a brief statement acknowledging the seriousness of the situation and attempted to calm Ward 8 residents by reaffirming their unwavering commitment to the community. However, the allegations threaten to sink White’s political career, leaving his future uncertain as the case unfolds.
This Case Could Have Long-Reaching Implications
White cast one of the deciding votes that helped legalize single-source digital sports betting in D.C. This fact is curious since he is the second pro-gambling councilman to face controversy in recent years. 2019 saw then-chair Jack Evans, who spearheaded D.C.’s adoption of sports wagering, accused of ethical issues, costing him his council position.
Neither White nor his legal team commented on this new scandal, although dozens of his followers joined him on Monday’s hearing in a show of support. He is due back in court for a status conference on 19 September, which should hopefully shed more light on the nature of his involvement in the alleged scheme.
The ongoing case has already generated much debate in Washington, D.C., fueling concerns over potential corruption and the role of money in local politics. As investigations continue, all eyes will closely watch the upcoming proceedings to see how this scandal may reshape the city’s political landscape and impact White’s status.
