In a shocking development, District of Columbia (D.C.) Council member Trayon White, Sr. has been charged with bribery following an investigation by federal authorities. The U.S. Attorney's Office of D.C. revealed that White was caught on video accepting thousands of dollars in kickbacks from a business owner who sought help in renewing his companies' violence-interruption contracts with the D.C. government.

According to the charges made public on Monday, White, 40, allegedly agreed to receive a total of $156,000 in cash payments from the business owner. In return, he was accused of pressuring D.C. government employees at two different agencies to extend the contracts. The council member appeared in U.S. District Court on Monday and was subsequently released from custody, although he had to surrender his passport. His next court date is set for September 19.

As the chairman of the committee overseeing the District's violence-interruption efforts, White played a crucial role in the city's endeavors to reduce violence. These efforts involved community-based organizations, composed of community members acting as "credible messengers" to de-escalate conflicts in neighborhoods.

The bribery scheme, as per the complaint filed in U.S. District Court, began in June 2024 when White agreed to meet with the business owner. The owner offered White $15,000 for information on whether the contracts would be extended. Despite White's initial resistance, he accepted the envelope containing the money. The two continued to meet throughout the summer, with White updating the business owner on his progress and accepting envelopes filled with cash, all of which were captured on video.

Moreover, the business owner admitted to giving White gifts earlier, including trips to the Dominican Republic and Las Vegas, as well as a $20,000 bribe for assistance in resolving a contract dispute in 2020. Described as a confidential informant in court documents, the business owner agreed to cooperate with the FBI in a plea agreement on fraud and bribery charges.

DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, responding to the charges, called them "deeply disturbing" and announced plans to remove White as the chairman of the council's Committee on Recreation, Libraries, and Youth Affairs until the matter is resolved. He also stated that an ad hoc committee would be formed to assess the situation and review the evidence against White, as the judicial process can be slower than the public's right to accountable government.

DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, when asked for comment on White's arrest, expressed her need to review the court documents before making a statement. She acknowledged that allegations against an elected official would naturally raise concerns and disappointment among the public and emphasized the importance of government operations being unaffected.

Trayon White, despite the controversy surrounding him, has maintained popularity in Ward 8, winning reelection with significant margins. In 2020, he secured over 78% of the vote, and he won the Democratic primary earlier this year with 51% of the vote.

While Trayon White is presumed innocent until proven guilty, the charges against him are a significant blow to the public's trust in the D.C. Council. As the case unfolds, residents of Ward 8 and the wider D.C. community hope for transparency and accountability in the judicial proceedings.