Indictment of Ward 8 Councilmember leaves community heartbroken and shocked [Video]

WASHINGTON (DC News Now) — Community members are left shocked and confused after the indictment of Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White.

White was arrested Sunday and appeared in federal court Monday. The councilmember was charged with bribery and accused of agreeing to accept $156,000 in cash payoffs.

According to court documents, White accepted money from a confidential source on multiple occasions in exchange for pressuring government officials to extend contracts with the source. Those contracts are specifically tied to work surrounding gun violence interruption through the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) and the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (ONSE).

DC Councilmember Trayon White accused of bribery, taking cash, gifts

The U.S. Attorney’s Office alleges White accepted $35,000 over four separate occasions from the confidential source, who operated businesses in DC. And, officials say White agreed to a 3% payoff from the $5.2 million contract extensions he was to help secure, totaling $156,000 in kickbacks.

White was captured …