Washington DC Councilman Arrested for Accepting Bribes
A D.C. councilman known for promoting anti-Semitic conspiracy theories has been arrested on charges he accepted more than $150,000 in bribes in exchange for using his elected position to help companies win city contracts, according to court records released Monday.
Allegations of Bribery
Trayon White Sr., a Democrat who ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 2022, was arrested by the FBI on federal bribery charges. The FBI agent’s testimony revealed that White agreed to accept about $156,000 in kickbacks and cash in exchange for pressuring government agency employees to extend contracts for violence intervention services between two companies worth more than $5 million.
In addition to this, White also accepted a $20,000 bribe to help resolve a contract dispute at one of the companies by pressuring top district officials, according to the affidavit.
Repercussions and Political Career
White, who has been serving on the D.C. Council since 2017, represents a predominantly black district with a high poverty rate. White is up for re-election in November against a Republican challenger and faces the consequences of these bribery allegations on his political career.
The arrest of White is a significant blow to his political aspirations, especially after being one of two D.C. Council members defeated by Mayor Muriel Bowser in the Democratic primary two years ago.
Controversies Surrounding Trayon White
In March 2018, White made headlines for posting a video on his Facebook page promoting anti-Semitic conspiracy theories. He claimed that an unexpected snowfall was due to the Rothschild family’s manipulation of the climate to create natural disasters. The Rothschilds, a prominent Jewish family in the banking industry, are often the subject of conspiracy theories.
Despite facing backlash for his remarks, White continued to hold controversial views, raising similar conspiracy theories at a meeting of senior city officials. These controversies have brought negative attention to White’s actions and statements during his time in office.
In conclusion, the arrest of Trayon White on bribery charges has raised concerns about ethics and integrity in public office. It remains to be seen how this case will impact his political future and the trust of the constituents he represents in Washington D.C.
