Washington, DC, councilman reelected amid federal bribery charges

A Washington, D.C., city councilman has won reelection, despite facing federal bribery charges.

Council member Trayon White, who represents one of the capital city's most impoverished areas, Ward 8, was elected Tuesday night to another four-year term.

He defeated Republican challenger Nate Derenge, who ran on the platform of “not a bribe taker; ready to serve," and as part of his campaign create a rap video titled “Trayon’s BeTRAYal," according to local TV station WUSA-9.

White has represented the ward since 2017 and made an unsuccessful bid for mayor in 2022. 

The 40-year-old White was arrested in August on federal charges of allegedly accepting at least $35,000 in cash in a series of meetings in June and July. He is also accused of negotiating a kickback on contract renewals and attempting to receive as much as $156,000 from the scheme, purportedly related to housing and mental health contracts, the TV station also reports.

White declined a plea deal and has pleaded not guilty. If convicted, he faces a maximum 15 years in prison and disqualification from holding public office. 

 A status hearing to set White’s trial date is scheduled for Nov. 13.