WASHINGTON — Speaking for the first time since his arrest earlier this month, D.C.'s Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White took to Instagram Thursday. In a short video shot inside a Turning Natural Juice Bar, White thanked his follows for supporting him.
"I appreciate all the love, praise and support y'all been giving me over the last couple of days," White said. "It's good energy."
White told his followers that they will "figure this thing out," before giving Turning Natural a shoutout and ending the video, which only lasts about 40 seconds.
White was arrested on federal bribery charges on Aug. 18.
According to an unsealed affidavit, White was named earlier this month by a confidential human source (CHS) who accepted a plea agreement with the government on one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud. The source reported a corrupt relationship with White going back to 2019, roughly two years into his first term on the council.
In charging documents, investigators describe multiple alleged conversations between White and the CHS about White using his position on the council to pressure government officials at the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement and the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services to renew contracts with companies owned by CHS. The contracts, which focused on violence intervention services, were worth more than $5 million to the CHS’ companies. According to investigators, White expected to receive more than $150,000 in kickbacks if the contracts were renewed.
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Between June and July, the CHS recorded multiple conversations with White in which they discussed the status of the contracts. Charging documents include images from those recordings showing White, according to investigators, accepting white envelopes filled with $5,000-$15,000 in cash on each occasion and amounting to $35,000 total. According to charging documents, White also suggested other avenues through which he and the CHS could work together. During a meeting on June 26, White – who won the Democratic primary for his council seat just weeks earlier – suggested they look at mental health contracts.
“What I want you to start thinking about is how we get into the mental health space,” White allegedly said. “Got four more new years.”
The following month, according to charging documents, White and the CHS agreed upon a 3% kickback rate if the contracts were approved. During the meeting, White allegedly said he had told a government employee at ONSE seeking a permanent high-ranking position that he could only be “supportive” if the CHS’ contracts were renewed. White also again allegedly raised the prospect of the CHS seeking mental health contracts.
“That s*** a cash cow,” White said, according to charging documents.
Investigators said White also suggested one more area they could work on: housing.
“Once you and I lock eyes and gets to an understanding, I gets to work,” White said, according to the affidavit. “I can start making some s*** happen.”
In total, investigators said White and the CHS discussed him receiving $156,000 in kickbacks for shepherding at least four contracts through the renewal process.
It is worth noting that the owner of Turning Natural Juice, Jerri Evans pleaded guilty to tax fraud in May.
Authorities found Evans did not pay sales tax for three years at three separate locations he owned.
He now owes the District $452,522.07 in back taxes, penalties, and interest.