Full Breakdown
Trayon White Bribery Trial: Jury Deadlock Extends Deliberations
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event – Jury Deadlock and Continued Deliberations
Federal Judge Rudolph Contreras ordered the twelve-person jury in Councilmember Trayon White’s federal bribery trial to keep deliberating after jurors reported, following roughly 15 hours of discussion, that they could not reach a unanimous verdict. The defense had moved for a mistrial, but the judge rejected the motion and encouraged jurors to resume talks after a lunch break.
Background & Context
White, the Ward 8 representative on the D.C. Council, was arrested in 2024 and charged with accepting cash from Allieu Kamara, an FBI informant, in exchange for steering city contracts for violence-intervention services. Prosecutors allege White took $35,000 in cash and was offered up to $156,000, describing the scheme as exceeding $150,000. White has pleaded not guilty and maintains his innocence. He was expelled after the arrest, won a special election later that year, and was sworn in again.
Data & Statistics
- Cash accepted: $35,000.
- Total alleged bribes: $156,000 offered; prosecutors say “more than $150,000.”
- Jury composition: nine women and three men, all members of the majority-white jury.
- Financial snapshot: an IRS special agent testified White’s checking account was overdrawn by up to $1,000 while his savings held $9.
- Potential penalty: up to 15 years in federal prison and removal from the council under D.C. law.
Official Statements & Responses
When jurors asked whether receiving money without intent to act constituted bribery, the judge answered “no” and referred them back to the jury instructions.
Prosecutor John Crabb urged jurors to keep working toward a verdict, emphasizing evidence that White knowingly accepted money as part of a corrupt exchange.
Defense attorney Gary Kohlman, after the jurors’ note, declared “enough is enough” and moved for a mistrial, asserting the government had failed to prove corrupt intent.
Why It Matters / Impact
A conviction would end White’s tenure, as D.C. law bars felons from holding elected office. Even without a conviction, council members could pursue expulsion based on ethics violations. The case underscores alleged corruption in the allocation of city contracts for violence-intervention programs, a key public-policy issue for the District.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the total amount at issue. Some cite $35,000 in cash accepted, while others reference a $156,000 offer and describe the overall scheme as exceeding $150,000. The precise legal standard for “intent” in a bribery charge is contested; jurors received a “no” answer to both of their questions about intent, but the prosecution continues to argue that intent is required for conviction.
Verbatim Quotes
- “What do you need me to do, man? I don’t want you to feel like you need to give me something to get something,” — Trayon White, to the judge
- “No, no, it’s cool. That’s cool, but I definitely need you,” — Allieu Kamara
- “There is no evidence Trayon White has done a corrupt thing, then or ever,” — Gary Kohlman, defense attorney
- “You get to go inside that car and get a front-row seat to the defendant’s crime,” — Rebecca Ross, attorney
