The FBI has arrested Washington DC Councilmember Trayon White Sr. for allegedly accepting bribes in exchange for pressuring government employees to steer contracts towards certain individuals. White, 40, reportedly took tens of thousands of dollars in kickbacks from a local business leader who was working with the FBI as a confidential informant. The court documents reveal that White accepted cash payments and even agreed to receive a percentage of the value of contracts he planned to award.
In June, White voted in support of launching an open betting market in DC, which was previously under the control of Intralot. It is unclear if White’s actions influenced the awarding of contracts, but the FBI has evidence of multiple meetings where White accepted bribes and allegedly received kickbacks in the form of trips to Las Vegas and the Dominican Republic.
Following his arrest, White’s position as chairperson of the Committee on Recreation, Libraries, and Youth Affairs is at risk, and an internal investigation may result in his expulsion from the council. White was released from custody after appearing in US District Court and is awaiting trial, with a potential prison sentence of up to 15 years if found guilty. His next hearing is scheduled for September 19.
White first won election in 2011 to the DC State Board of Education and was expected to secure re-election in November before the bribery allegations surfaced. He has previously faced scrutiny over campaign finance discrepancies, resulting in a fine earlier this year.
White’s office issued a statement reassuring residents in Ward 8 and stakeholders that the office remains operational and committed to serving the public. The fallout from his arrest has cast a shadow over White’s political career, raising questions about corruption and ethical standards in government.