DC Council to consider next steps regarding Trayon White

WASHINGTON ( DC News Now ) — D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson said Friday that he would be launching a temporary committee to investigate the allegations made against Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White .

White was arrested on Sunday on charges of bribery. A 37-page affidavit details four incidents of bribery and suggests White lived at a luxury high-rise apartment building in Ward 6, rather than in Ward 8 – the ward he represents.

In a memo obtained by DC News Now, Mendelson told Members of the Council that he would be establishing an Ad Hoc Committee “for the purposes of considering the…allegations (bribery and residency) and making recommendations to the Council for further action.”

All councilmembers except White were appointed as members of the committee. Chairman Pro Tempore Kenyan McDuffie was appointed chair of the committee.

“This is consistent with the last Ad Hoc Committee I appointed, which was to investigate allegations regarding former Councilmember Evans’ conduct,” Mendelson wrote.

Since the council does not return to session until Sept. 15, the committee has until Dec. 16 to file its report.

“Once the Committee meets, it shall have to determine how to proceed, as well as afford Councilmember Trayon White an opportunity to be heard,” Mendelson continued.

According to the Council Rules , three options are available in deciding how to go forward:

1. Reprimand: A formal statement officially disapproving of White’s conduct.
2. Censure: A formal statement of the council officially disciplining White.
3. Expulsion: The most severe action, resulting in White’s removal as a councilmember.

The Council Rules state that “expulsion should be used for cases in which the Council determines that the Councilmember committed a violation of law of the most serious nature, including a violation that substantially threatens the public trust.”

Mendelson noted that the allegations against White warrant consideration of all three options.

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