Democratic district councilor in Washington, D.C. Arrested for corruption

It appears that corruption is not only a Mediterranean problem, as many European newspapers would have us believe, but that even among good American Democrats, such episodes are frequent. D.C. Councilmember Trayon White was arrested Sunday on federal corruption charges after prosecutors said he accepted tens of thousands of dollars in cash in exchange for pressuring government officials to extend contracts dedicated to violence prevention and youth services.

Trayon White is a well-known figure in Washington, D.C. A District Councilman, he is a Democrat who has taken radical anti-police positions in the past and has been an activist in the city’s black community.

Documents filed Monday in federal court describe that White allegedly accepted envelopes full of cash while being caught on a hidden camera.
White, who represents Ward 8, is accused of accepting $156,000 in exchange for using his position to pressure employees of the D.C. Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (ONSE) and the D.C. Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) to extend several contracts, according to prosecutors. He is chairman of a D.C. Council committee that oversees several agencies, including DYRS.

According to federal prosecutors handling the case, White allegedly accepted payments in the tens of thousands of dollars, if not hundreds.
White appeared in a packed federal courtroom Monday afternoon. He pleaded neither guilty nor innocent during his first appearance. He remained largely silent during the proceedings, but said he understood that the bribery charge against him carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.

Under the conditions of his release, White had to surrender his passport and all his weapons. He must inform correctional services if he intends to travel outside the Washington area.

White made no comment, while a News4 video captured the moment he left the courthouse and was escorted to a car.
D.C. Councilmember Trayon White was arrested Sunday on federal corruption charges after prosecutors said he accepted tens of thousands of dollars in cash in exchange for pressuring government officials to extend contracts dedicated to violence prevention and youth services.

Sunday on federal corruption charges after prosecutors said he accepted tens of thousands of dollars in cash in exchange for pressuring government officials to extend contracts dedicated to violence prevention and youth services.

Trayon White is a well-known figure in Washington, D.C. A District Councilman, he is a Democrat who has taken radical anti-police positions in the past and has been an activist in the city’s black community.

Documents filed Monday in federal court describe that White allegedly accepted envelopes full of cash while being caught on a hidden camera.
White, who represents Ward 8, is accused of accepting $156,000 in exchange for using his position to pressure employees of the D.C. Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (ONSE) and the D.C. Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) to extend several contracts, according to prosecutors. He is chairman of a D.C. Council committee that oversees several agencies, including DYRS.

According to federal prosecutors handling the case, White allegedly accepted payments in the tens of thousands of dollars, if not hundreds.
White appeared in a packed federal courtroom Monday afternoon. He pleaded neither guilty nor innocent during his first appearance. He remained largely silent during the proceedings, but said he understood that the bribery charge against him carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.

Under the conditions of his release, White had to surrender his passport and all his weapons. He must inform correctional services if he intends to travel outside the Washington area.

White made no comment, while a News4 video captured the moment he left the courthouse and was escorted to a car.
D.C. Councilmember Trayon White was arrested Sunday on federal corruption charges after prosecutors said he accepted tens of thousands of dollars in cash in exchange for pressuring government officials to extend contracts dedicated to violence prevention and youth services.