Overview
- A federal judge declared a mistrial on Monday after jurors could not reach a unanimous verdict in the bribery case against D.C. Council member Trayon White.
- The government relied on secretly recorded meetings and an FBI confidential informant to show White accepted $35,000 in cash and was expected to receive up to $156,000 tied to city contracts.
- White’s lawyers acknowledged he took the money but argued prosecutors failed to prove the required corrupt intent to be influenced in official acts, a central legal element of bribery.
- Jurors deliberated for multiple days and reported being deadlocked; White’s team publicized a 9-3 split favoring acquittal but that claim is self‑reported and not part of the court record.
- Prosecutors have said they will seek a retrial, the defense has renewed motions for acquittal, and the parties are scheduled to meet in court on Oct. 22 to set next steps while White stays on the council after his 2025 special‑election return.