Washington, D.C. councilman Trayon White Sr. was arrested Sunday on federal bribery charges after accepting $156,000 (about 140,000 euros) to extend several contracts with private companies.
The U.S. Department of Justice reported Monday that White accepted up to four cash payments starting in June to pressure officials from the Office of Neighborhood Safety and the Department of Juvenile Rehabilitation Services in favor of two private companies bidding for $5.2 million in contracts (about 4.7 million euros).
The indictment mentions a video showing the agreement reached by the councilman and the owner of the two companies involved. White has been released from custody after appearing in court and has been summoned for next September 19, according to American television NBC.
As a councilman, he chaired the Recreation, Libraries and Youth Affairs Commission that oversees several public agencies, including the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services. He was elected to the position in 2017 by the Democratic Party and had won the nomination to be a candidate for a third term.
