Conflicting reports about DOJ investigating Mayor Bowser’s foreign trip

The New York Times reported Thursday evening that the Department of Justice is investigating D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser over a foreign trip she took that was at least partially paid for by Qatar, but a report from Axios later disputed the New York Times report.

Axios first reported a senior Trump administration official says Bowser’s “name was mentioned in something,” but that she is not under federal investigation. Axios says the unnamed official blamed the rumor of the investigation on a disgruntled fired FBI agent.

A Trump administration official later told News4 Investigative Reporter Ted Oberg that Bowser is not the target of a federal investigation.

The mayor’s office said Bowser did not have anything to say about the Times report Thursday night but will be taking questions Friday at an event already on her calendar.

Bowser went to Dubai in late 2023 with four executive staff members for a United Nations conference on climate change, the Times reported.

The investigation started after the mayor’s office incorrectly told reporters the Chamber of Conference paid for the trip.

Her office told News4 that after the trip they became aware of a “staff error,” which led to the lack of a standard donation agreement for travel expenses. That paperwork has since been correctly submitted, Bowser’s office said. They said they have a letter from Qatar confirming they paid tens of thousands of dollars for the trip for Bowser and her staffers.

It’s not unusual for outside organizations or governments to pay for such trips, but it appears the mayor’s office didn’t handle the reporting properly in the beginning.

D.C. Code requires city officials to file proper reporting paperwork for gifts and donations such as a trip.

The mayor’s office said they heard about an investigation when the Times called Thursday afternoon for comment.

“We have checked with our lawyers, and the District has not been notified of any investigation,” the mayor’s office said in a statement. “This was a business trip; DC representatives regularly travel to promote Washington as a destination for investment and growth.”

“In some cases, economic development funds are used for the business travel; in other cases, the host or organizer cover the expenses,” the statement said. “All proper paperwork for this standard donation is on file.”

Bowser previously has been asked about who paid for a trip to the Masters golf tournament – questions that have never fully been answered.

The investigation comes after the federal takeover of D.C. — and looming threat of another one — and as Bowser considers running for a fourth term.

Bowser was scheduled to attend a gala Thursday night where she was to receive an award for her work in the redevelopment of the RFK Stadium site.