DC Council Public Hearing

COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA OFFICE OF THE CHAIRMAN NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004 CHAIRMAN PHIL MENDELSON COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ANNOUNCES A PUBLIC HEARING on “Expulsion of Councilmember Trayon White, Sr. for Code of Conduct Violations” on Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at 12:00pm Council Chambers Room 500 (Track A) John A. Wilson Building 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW DC Council Website (www.dccouncil.gov) Council Chairman Phil Mendelson announces a public hearing of the Council of the District of Columbia on the Expulsion of Councilmember Trayon White, Sr. for Code of Conduct Violations. This hearing will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 28, 2025 in Room 500, the Council Chambers of the John A. Wilson Building. The purpose of this hearing is to consider the recommendation of the Ad Hoc Committee in the Matter of Councilmember Trayon White, Sr. to expel Councilmember White from the Council, pursuant to Council Rule 655. On August 23, 2024, Chairman Mendelson issued a memorandum establishing the Ad Hoc Committee for the purposes of considering allegations that Councilmember White engaged in bribery and did not meet Council residency requirements. On September 17, 2024, the Council adopted Resolution 25-634, the “Council Period 25 Rules of Organization and Procedure and Appointment of Committee Chairpersons and Membership Amendment Resolution of 2024”, authorizing investigation of Councilmember White for alleged violations of D.C. Official Code §1-1162.23 and D.C. Official Code §1-618.01, as well as the Council's Code of Conduct. The Resolution authorized the Chairman to appoint Latham & Watkins LLP (“Latham”) to investigate the conduct of Councilmember White, including delegating to Latham the Council’s authority to issue subpoenas under Council Rule 611. The scope of the investigation is described as follows: [W]hether Councilmember Trayon White violated the law by residing in a ward other than Ward 8 or violated the Code of Conduct, as that term is defined in section 101(7) of the Board of Ethics and Government Accountability Establishment and Comprehensive Ethics Reform Amendment Act of 2011, effective April 27, 2012 (D.C. Law 19-124; D.C. Official Code § 1- 1161.01(7)), or Council Rules, including those provisions of the Code of Conduct or the Council Rules that relate to conflicts of interest, taking any action that adversely affects the confidence of the public in the  integrity of District government, outside activities, use of government resources, or acting solely in the public interest. The Ad Hoc Committee held a number of meetings to be briefed on the status of the investigation and to review the investigatory report. On December 16, 2024, the Ad Hoc Committee adopted the findings in the Latham report and recommended that Councilmember White be expelled from the Council. Specifically, the Ad Hoc Committee Report found that “substantial evidence supports the conclusion that” Councilmember White violated D.C. Official Code §1-1162.23 and D.C. Official Code §1-618.01, in addition to Council Rule 202(a) and several provisions of the Council’s Code of Official Conduct: • Accepted $35,000 in cash from an FBI confidential human source; • Knew at the time of accepting these cash payments that the confidential human source operated several businesses holding or seeking contracts/grants with the District of Columbia, or that he had received subcontracts/subgrants from businesses who contracted with the District of Columbia; • Accepted those cash payments in exchange for agreeing to meet with and influence various government officials to ensure the contracts of the confidential human source’s organizations would be renewed; • Reviewed a ledger with the confidential human source that outlined profits he expected to receive for his continued work, including a 3% cut for grant renewals he helped secure; • Confirmed he had contacted government employees to discuss contract renewal, and stated he discussed contracts over which the confidential human source had a direct interest; • Did, in fact, meet with DYRS and ONSE officials within days of his multiple meetings with the confidential human source in July 2024 and his assertions to the confidential human source that he had held such meetings; and • Did, in fact, discuss with those DYRS and ONSE officials matters over which the confidential human source had a direct interest. At the December 16, 2024 meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee, Chairman Phil Mendelson gave notice that he would set the matter of the Expulsion of Councilmember Trayon White, Sr. for Code of Conduct Violations for a hearing before the Council, pursuant to Council Rule 655. This hearing notice is in response. At the hearing, the Council will consider the charges against Councilmember White, including that he violated D.C. Official Code §1-1162.23 and D.C. Official Code §1-618.01, in addition to Council Rule 202(a) and several provisions of the Council’s Code of Official Conduct, as well as Rule II(a) by engaging in outside employment or private activities that conflict or would appear to conflict with the fair, impartial, and objective performance of the employee’s official duties and responsibilities or with the efficient operation of the Council, Rule III(e)(2) by directly or indirectly demanding, seeking, receiving, accepting, or agreeing to receive or accept anything of value personally or for any other person or entity, in return for prohibited activities, and Rule VI(b)(1) by knowingly using the prestige of office or public position for that employee’s private gain or that of another.  Pursuant to Council Rule 653, the rules of evidence and judicial procedure applicable in courts will not be applicable to this hearing. Councilmember White may be represented by a person of his choice, whether or not the person is an attorney, and may have that representative speak or question witnesses on his behalf. There will be no testimony from the public. The Ad Hoc Committee Chairperson or his designee and Councilmember Trayon White, Sr. may make opening statements. Councilmember White, or his representative, may make his case. Witnesses may be called by either side, however, pursuant to Council Rule 653(a)(3), testimony can only be taken from witnesses having direct knowledge of facts or circumstances relevant to the specific charges under consideration, and the Chairperson need not call any witnesses in support of the charges against Councilmember White. Councilmembers will have up to 10 minutes each to question any witnesses. Councilmember White’s representative may question witnesses on his behalf. Both sides may then make any closing statements, if any. A resolution (Proposed Resolution 25-1100) has been introduced for the Council’s consideration following the hearing. The resolution, if adopted, would effect the expulsion of Councilmember Trayon White, Sr. from the Council. The record will close at the conclusion of the hearing except for an additional information or statements specifically requested by the Chairman.