Mistrial in DC Councilman Trayon White Sr.'s Federal Bribery Trial
Federal bribery trial for DC Councilman Trayon White Sr. ends in mistrial after deadlocked jury.
Why it matters: The mistrial highlights persistent challenges in prosecuting public corruption in D.C., a key area for legal professionals handling government investigations and white collar cases.
- Mistrial declared September 28, 2026, after jury deadlocked for more than three days of deliberation.
- White faced federal charges of accepting $35,000 cash from contractor Allieu Kamara, part of a $156,000 kickback scheme.
- FBI recorded five meetings in 2024 between White and Kamara showing cash exchanges and contract discussions.
- White was expelled by unanimous D.C. Council vote in February 2025 but won back his seat in a special election months later.
On September 28, 2026, U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras declared a mistrial in the bribery case against D.C. Councilmember Trayon White Sr., after the jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict following over three days of deliberations. White was charged with accepting $35,000 in cash from contractor Allieu Kamara during four meetings in 2024. The payments were part of a broader scheme to receive $156,000, approximately 3% of Kamara's contracts, in exchange for pressuring officials to renew violence-interruption service contracts. The Washington Post reported on the case details.
The FBI secretly recorded five meetings between White and Kamara during the summer of 2024. Recordings captured White accepting envelopes filled with cash and discussing the responsibilities of city officials in contract renewals. Kamara pleaded guilty to bribery and bank-fraud conspiracy in 2024, cooperating with federal prosecutors and testifying that he paid White $35,000 to influence contract approvals. These details were affirmed in Justice Department press releases.
White's defense contended he merely inquired about contract statuses and denied wrongdoing. White told reporters, “We’re still standing, we’re still fighting. We’re still believing, we’re still pressing.”
In February 2025, the D.C. Council unanimously voted to expel White following the indictment. Yet White won his seat back in a special election months later, illustrating complex Ward 8 political dynamics. The mistrial introduces further uncertainty in the case and serves as a caution for legal experts tracking corruption prosecutions in local governments.
By the numbers:
- $35,000 — cash allegedly accepted by White from Kamara
- 3% — percentage of Kamara’s contracts involved in the kickback scheme
- 5 — FBI-recorded meetings between White and Kamara
Yes, but: Although the trial ended without a verdict, Kamara's guilty plea and cooperation provide strong evidence, which may impact future proceedings.
What's next: A retrial date has not been set. Legal watchers expect prosecutors to decide on next steps in the coming months.