DC Councilman’s Bribery Case Ends in Mistrial
D.C. Councilman Trayon White faces retrial after mistrial in bribery case involving recorded cash payments.
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D.C. Councilman Trayon White Sr. will have another chance to face charges after a federal jury failed to reach a verdict in his bribery case. Despite prosecutors presenting secretly recorded video showing the politician accepting envelopes of cash from an FBI informant, the jury was unable to agree on a verdict, leading to a mistrial.
Case Details and Legal Proceedings
The case centered on $35,000 in cash White accepted from D.C. contractor Allieu Kamara during a series of meetings in 2024. Kamara, an FBI informant, secretly recorded the meetings, which were played for the jury. Prosecutors argued that the cash payments were part of a $156,000 bribe, with White agreeing to use his position to help Kamara’s companies renew city contracts. The FBI recorded White accepting envelopes of cash during four meetings, with a fifth recording ending with White’s arrest.
Defense and Prosecution Arguments
White’s attorneys argued that he never intended to pressure city officials on Kamara’s behalf and thus did not commit bribery. Defense attorney Gary Kohlman told jurors during closing arguments that White “actually did nothing.” Prosecutors, however, emphasized the recorded conversations and Kamara’s testimony about the agreement. Kamara, who had previously pleaded guilty to bribery and bank fraud, testified that the payments were part of an arrangement to secure city contracts.
Political and Legal Impact
White has maintained his innocence since his August 2024 arrest, claiming he was framed by an informant who had previously donated to his political campaigns. The case has had political consequences, with the D.C. Council voting to expel him in February 2025, but he won his seat back in a special election. Council member Elissa Silverman acknowledged the damage to public trust caused by the case.
Next Steps
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro stated that prosecutors intend to retry the case, emphasizing the video evidence. White, who remains under indictment, celebrated the mistrial as a victory, stating that the jury was unable to reach a verdict and that the legal process is not over. For now, he keeps his seat on the D.C. Council and awaits the next legal steps.
Source: Daily Wire
