DC Council expels Trayon White following federal bribery charge

The D.C. City Council voted to expel councilmember Trayon White connected Tuesday aft helium was accused past twelvemonth by national authorities of accepting $156,000 successful bribes. 

The 11 different members of the legislative assemblage voted unanimously to region White from his position. Prior to the vote, White was seen bowing his caput successful supplication extracurricular of the gathering room.  

Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie, a Democrat, said the ballot contiguous was "not easy" and represents a "very challenging situation" for the ward that White represents, but ultimately, helium said, it is the close determination for the city. 

"Trust is precious, spot is captious for an elected government, and we indispensable act," Council Chairman Phil Mendelson added. 

Councilmember Trayon White speaks to the media pursuing the D.C. City Council Ad Hoc Committee voting to urge him for expulsion amid bribery allegations successful Washington, D.C., connected Dec. 16, 2024. (Photo by Craig Hudson)

The Justice Department, citing a transgression ailment charging White with bribery, alleged that "beginning successful June 2024, White corruptly agreed to judge $156,000 successful currency payments successful speech for utilizing his presumption arsenic a D.C. Councilmember to unit authorities employees astatine [the] Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement and [the] D.C. Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services to widen respective D.C. contracts."   

White, who has pleaded not blameworthy to those allegations, reportedly faces up to 15 years successful situation if helium is convicted. A assemblage proceedings successful that lawsuit is acceptable for January 2026. 

"Councilmember White betrayed the spot of his staff, the council, the agencies and, supra all, the residents of Ward 8," McDuffie said astatine a proceeding past week up of the expulsion vote. 

D.C. Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White, Sr. speaks successful Washington, D.C., connected Nov. 21, 2024. (Craig Hudson for The Washington Post via Getty Images)

In December, Mendelson called White’s alleged behaviour "quintessential corruption." 

"There is lone 1 remedy: to region the corruption from our body," helium added astatine the time. "This incidental has damaged the nationalist spot indispensable for authorities to relation well." 

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