Procedural errors plagued the D.C. Council investigation into Council member Trayon White’s federal bribery charges, the Ward 8 Democrat’s lawyer said Tuesday, as the legislative body plans to hold a vote on his potential expulsion next week.

Mr. White offered no comment and provided no witnesses to defend himself during the hour-long hearing. Instead, he relied on attorney Frederick D. Cooke Jr. to argue that the embattled lawmaker is not guilty of the accusations that he agreed to take $156,000 in bribes to influence government contracts.

Mr. Cooke spent most of his opening statement criticizing technicalities in the council ad hoc committee’s investigation, which concluded in December, before skewering the committee for basing its unanimous decision to oust Mr. White on the charging documents in his federal case.    

“You can’t be expelled based on indictment,” Mr. Cooke said “Just because you get charged, you don’t get convicted.”

Council member Kenyan McDuffie, at-large independent, began the hearing by saying the council is not held to the same standards as a court of law, so Mr. White’s council colleagues don’t need proof beyond a reasonable doubt he participated in the bribery scheme to vote for his expulsion.

Mr. McDuffie also pointed out that Mr. White has had four chances to respond to the ad hoc committee during its investigation. He declined to comment each time.

Much of the “substantial evidence” of bribery cited by the ad hoc committee came from allegations made in court filings after Mr. White, 40, was arrested by FBI agents in Southeast last summer.

The affidavit said Mr. White pocketed $35,000 in cash from an FBI informant. Those interactions were documented by photos and audio recordings that allegedly show Mr. White taking the bribes and agreeing to pressure city employees over how they award violence prevention grants.

Mr. White pleaded not guilty to the charges last fall. His trial is scheduled for January 2026.

The ad hoc investigation found Mr. White did meet with employees from the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement and the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services — the latter agency he oversaw in a council leadership position — but did not try to bribe the employees in any way.

Chairman Phil Mendelson, at-large Democrat, has been the council’s most outspoken proponent of booting Mr. White. He said Tuesday he believes the ad hoc committee’s recommendation for expulsion will be backed by the council next week.

“From what I understand, the widespread sentiment in the city is the council is proceeding the right way,” Mr. Mendelson told reporters afterward.

That notion was challenged by supporters of Mr. White, with one man saying the council is “invalidating the votes of the people of Southeast, of Ward 8.”

The man, who stood beside Mr. White but did not offer his name, said the D.C. Board of Elections should have made the councilman ineligible on the ballot if they wanted him off the council. Mr. White was overwhelmingly reelected to a third term in November.

Mr. White did not provide a comment after the hearing. He wore a black T-shirt saying “The FBI Killed Fred Hampton” over his dress clothes, referencing the 1969 death of the Black Panther activist.

A small box truck parked outside the Wilson building had a picture of Mr. White with text saying “FBI Set Me Up.”

The council will vote Tuesday on expelling Mr. White.

• Matt Delaney can be reached at mdelaney@washingtontimes.com.