Washington, DC, Councilman Trayon White allegedly engaged in a bribery scheme to use his elected position to keep government contracts flowing to two companies, federal prosecutors say, accepting envelopes with thousands of dollars in cash and lucrative kickbacks.
White, who represents southeast DC, was arrested by the FBI Sunday and is set to appear in DC’s federal courthouse Monday afternoon.
As part of the alleged bribery scheme, White would get kickbacks from multimillion-dollar city contracts related to violence intervention services in DC. All told, White agreed to take $156,000 in cash for his work – or 3% percent of the contracts’ value, prosecutors allege.
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The scheme played out in recorded conversations, prosecutors said in court documents. White made the alleged agreements with a local businessman who had contracts with the DC government. That man, unbeknownst to White, had pleaded guilty to federal bribery charges and was working with law enforcement.
White repeatedly indicated to the informant that he needed money, according to recordings cited in court documents, saying that he was “hurting.” The recordings described in court filings also show that the informant offered White thousands of dollars in cash to push city officials toward specific contracts that would benefit his businesses, and to brainstorm additional contracts that they could try to acquire in the future.
In one conversation, White was recorded asking the informant what they needed from him.
“I don’t, I don’t wanna feel like you gotta gimme something to get something. We better than that,” White said, before taking an envelope filled with thousands in cash from the informant.
The councilman allegedly boasted about his influence, telling the informant that “I’m a huge voice when it comes to violent prevention and the Council” and that “I got great weight when it comes to violence” initiatives.
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The two also discussed how White would use his position of power as a councilman to pressure government employees to “support” him, according to court documents. White recounted some of those conversations in recorded conversations with the informant, in one instance saying that he told a government employee: “The only way I’m gonna support you, if you support me.”
A stone’s throw from the White House and across the road from the Treasury Department (where pre-election economic calculations are made) is a bustling restaurant made of mahogany wood, booth seats, and the best steak you’ve ever had.
Old Ebbitt Grill is an institution. One can only imagine the agenda-altering discussions had across its white tablecloths over the decades.
Walk into its warmth on any week night and there’s a queue of suited professionals waiting for a table inside. It pays to book in advance, but if you don’t, it’s worth the wait.
Old Ebbitt does simple food, exceptionally well, with an emphasis on the highest quality produce.
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Beginning with a raw bar, offering oysters from a Massachusetts marina to rivers in Maine, every morsel is tracked to its source and its flavour explained as such.
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As your server may suggest, a mix from all of the above is available and what I went for. With a sour-over-sweet, lemon and honey and cocktail to top it off.
Oysters on ice at the Old Ebbitt Grill.
The list of entrees is extensive. I decided to keep it light to save room for the hearty mains, opting for a beets and burrata salad, topped with perfectly crunchy pistachio nuts.
For the main event, one cannot go past the steak frites, finished with a shallot-Dijon cream sauce. It’s apparently an entree size, but certainly enough for one on its own. With a deep red wine, this was the meal of my trip.
As Washington’s oldest saloon, its founding dates back to 1856. It’s called its current location home since 1983.
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Old Ebbitt is part of the Clyde’s Restaurant Group, which took it over in the 1970s.
Its more relaxed restaurant The Hamilton is popular for its live music and sushi happy hour.
Filomena Ristorante
This underground adobe in Washington’s Georgetown suburb exudes Nonna’s charm with America’s confidence.
The diners on the table next to me put it best, saying: “I’ve never been this impressed with a restaurant before eating”.
It has a small street front for its large personality. Enter Filomena just off the main M street and walk down its steps to a dark but lively restaurant boasting laughter, chatter, and clinks of glasses by groups big and small.
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The menu is embossed with the names of famous people who’ve dined here before, their favourite dishes in bold. I’m told it hasn’t been updated in 10 years – the menu wouldn’t fit in your hands if it included the latest list!
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The hustle and bustle of the underground Filomena Ristorante on a week night.
Founded by JoAnna Filomena, and named after her mother Filomena, this spot serves an extensive list of pasta and saucy mains such as ossobucco and parmigiana, with non-negotiable cheesecake desserts.
The restaurant is decorated with Filomena’s original furniture, antiques, and knick-knacks, with a dining room in the kitchen designated for fame and fortune only (ask for a tour!).
Wines from all over Italy and beyond are on offer. I ordered a glass of house Cabernet, but the waiter, Tom, knew I could do better. He impressed me with a bottle of something full-bodied and Sicilian. Trust Tom.
I had the homemade burrata, slow-cooked ragu pasta and finished with a slice of chocolate caramel cheesecake. The dishes improved in that order. They were all delightful and far too generous for me to finish.
Filomena’s chocolate caramel cheesecake was phenomenal.
Tables are tidied with a tradition. A crystal glass of liquor Sambuca or Amaretto, with three coffee beans dropped in each, representing good luck for health, wealth, and love.
And, because Nonna wouldn’t let you leave without takeaways, everyone exits with a doggie bag in hand.
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Booking is essential. Filomena’s is a phenomenal vibe.
Via Sophia
If you needed another reason to believe DC does Italian as decent as New York City, this osteria underneath the Washington Post is delicious.
I happened upon this Italian restaurant by accident, and returned with the intention of a second time.
The duck ragu rigatoni (gluten-free) and crispy, buttered brussel sprouts with pine nuts and golden sultanas could be contenders to challenge New York’s Italian dining scene.
The location of this incredible osteria made me feel as though I could eavesdrop on important reporters readying for the election result.
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Founding Farmers Fisher and Bakers
If you’re like me and feel like fresh food among the fried while travelling the US, this spot on the Washington Harbour in Georgetown will win your vote.
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Open all day, every day, for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner and drinks, this farm-to-table restaurant facing Roosevelt Island serves real food made from scratch.
The cobb salad at farmer-owned restaurant Founding Farmers Fishers and Bakers in Georgetown.
Kettle corn to calamari, cornbread and ceviche, this chain co-owned by more than 50,000 farmers traces ingredients back to their source.
Flour comes from North Dakota farmers, the meat from independently owned American farms and the cocktail spirits from a farmer-owned distillery in DC.
It was too early for me to test the latter, but I can vouch for the sustainably caught seafood and rainbow of vegetables that featured in the mixed cobb salad.
Eat good here while doing good. The business has a charity that funds sustainability efforts and supports neighbouring communities.
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Drinks
Near Old Ebbitt Grill is the Willard InterContinental Hotel. Step into its fabulous and infamous hotel lobby, turn right and you’ll find yourself at the Round Robin Bar.
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Dubbed the “Oval Office bar”, this iconic, circular bar has been a destination on DC’s drinking and dining scene since 1847.
Delivering classic cocktails and its signature Mint Julep, made famous here by former US Senator Henry Clay; try your luck for a seat in this typically crowded, must-see spot.
Best places to eat in Washington DC. Photo / Vlad Tchompalov on Unsplash
What I liked most about Washington’s hospitality:
Waiters wear suits. But diners can be as casual as they like.
Staff are typically very attentive to customers’ needs and any dietary requirements.
Tipping is typically priced into the final bill so there’s no need to guess how much is appropriate to tip after every meal.
Meals were not unreasonably large, unlike some other American states.
Checklist
WASHINGTON DC, US
GETTING THERE
Fly from Auckland to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport via Los Angeles with Delta Airlines.
DETAILS
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washington.org
delta.com
Madison travelled to Washington DC with hospitality from Destination DC, Delta Airlines and dined with hospitality by Destination DC and Old Ebbitt Grill.
To start planning your Washington DC adventure visit washington.org
The FBI arrested a Washington, D.C., city councilman on Sunday, though the circumstances surrounding the matter are not yet clear.
City Council President Phil Mendelson confirmed that fellow council member Trayon White Sr. was arrested on Sunday afternoon.
“I’ve talked to several people. I can confirm he was arrested around 2 o’clock by the FBI,” Mendelson told a WTTG reporter. “I’m anxious to get more details to understand what is the situation. … You all know as much as I know.”
Fox News has reached out to the FBI Washington field office, which declined to comment at this time.
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DC COUNCIL MEMBER WHO SAID JEWS CONTROL WEATHER RUNNING FOR DC MAYOR
Washington, D.C., City Council member Trayon White Sr. was arrested Sunday by the FBI, though details about the arrest were not immediately known.(Jahi Chikwendiu/Washington Post via Getty Images)
White made national headlines in March 2018 when he suggested that Jewish financiers control the weather. The claim came as he filmed himself driving through downtown Washington in the snow and ranted about “climate manipulation.”
“And D.C. keep talking about, ‘We’re a resilient city.’ And that’s a model based off the Rothschilds controlling the climate to create natural disasters they can pay for to own the cities, man,” he said in the now-deleted video. “Be careful.”
WHITE HOUSE ‘DENOUNCES’ DC OFFICIAL’S PRAISE OF ANTISEMITE LOUIS FARRAKHAN
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The FBI arrested Washington, D.C., City Council member Trayon White Sr. on Sunday.(Getty Images)
The Rothschilds, a European Jewish banking family descended from Mayer Amschel Rothschild, have been the subject of antisemitic conspiracy theories for centuries, including that they control the world’s financial institutions and manipulate world events to their benefit.
White initially defended his comments, saying, “The video says what it says,” but he later apologized to the Jewish community.
In addition to his comments about the Rothschilds, White also tweeted at prominent antisemitic Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan in 2013 and said he was “honored” to share a birthday with Farrakhan, adding, “I must respect his intelligence, will, & boldness.”
DC CRIME SURGES AS DEMOCRAT COUNCILMAN PLEADS FOR NATIONAL GUARD BACKUP
Trayon White Sr., a member of the Washington, D.C., City Council, was arrested by the FBI on Sunday.(Twitter)
White would later come under fire in 2018 after it was reported that he donated $500 to a Nation of Islam convention in Chicago where Farrakhan attacked “powerful Jews” as his enemy and made other disparaging comments.
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“I am not resigning, I’m not backing down, I’m not discouraged, I’m not depressed, so run all the media stories you want because my people are going to support me,” White said at the time when faced with backlash.
Fox News’ Sara Lechner and Jessica Chasmar contributed to this report.
Greg Wehner is a breaking news reporter for Fox News Digital.
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Story tips and can be sent to Greg.Wehner@Fox.com and on Twitter @GregWehner.
