September 16 (UPI) — The trial of District of Columbia Congressman Trayon White Sr. on federal bribery charges began this week with video evidence of a meeting in which prosecutors say White received an envelope of cash from Allu Kamara.
Video evidence prosecutors played Tuesday shows several meetings in the summer of 2024 in which White, the 8th District councilman, accepted envelopes of cash from business owner Kamara, who was heard saying he wanted to gain favor with D.C. officials in order to renew a contract worth millions of dollars. washington post Reported.
Defense attorney Gary Coleman said Camara is White’s brother-in-law and was arrested by the FBI on charges that White, 42, defrauded the coronavirus relief programs offered in exchange for a plea deal.
“There was no crime committed…despite the attempt to provoke a crime,” Coleman said in his opening argument. Mr. White has pleaded not guilty.
Mr. Coleman claimed that although Mr. White accepted the money, it was not a bribe and there was no return.
“There was no crime.” Coleman said:.
He also attacked the credibility of cooperating witness Kamara, calling him “corrupt to the bone.”
The Washington Post called Kamala to ask if White was his brother-in-law. “You know that’s not true,” Camara told the Post. He then said, “I’m not allowed to talk to you,” and told the Post to speak to a lawyer.
Assistant U.S. Attorney John Crabb Jr. said in his opening statement that the bribery charges were documented.
Mr. Crabb told the jury that Mr. White agreed to receive $156,000 if he helped Mr. Camara win three D.C. contracts for his nonprofit, which helps reduce violence in high-crime areas. However, White was only able to collect $35,000 before he was arrested by the FBI after his final meeting with Kamala.
Mr. Crabb quoted Mr. White as saying during his meeting with Mr. Kamara. “Once you understand me, once you close your eyes and get it, I get to work.”
“For Mr. White to ‘close his eyes and get to work’ means accepting bribes,” Crabb said.
He said White had unpaid campaign funds and needed money for real estate investments in North Carolina. White once said, “Meeting girls and having fun is really expensive.”
Coleman said White was only participating in a “constituent service” by checking on Kamala’s contract status.
To prove bribery, prosecutors would have to prove that White intended to use his position to help Kamara. However, the contractor ultimately was unable to obtain a contract extension with his organization, Life Deeds.
Mr. White is in his third term as a member of the DC Council.
FBI agent Matthew Gano testified Tuesday. He said the agency began an investigation into White in 2023. He said the agency learned of Camara’s conduct while investigating fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program loans. They presented evidence and asked him to cooperate in the case against White.
It was then that Kamara offered White a bribe.
Months after his arrest in 2024, White was re-elected. In February 2025, the City Council voted 12-0 to remove him from office. Mr. White regained his seat in a special election.