WASHINGTON (DC News Now)—After a unanimous vote, the district council is moving forward to the recommendation to expel Councilmember Trayon White from office. On Monday, the Ad Hoc Committee on Trayon White met to discuss and accept a report investigating whether White broke the council code. The investigation, conducted by the law firm Latham and Watkins, was released last week and found substantial evidence that White broke several council codes. White is accused of accepting bribes in exchange for his influence on district contracts. He was arrested in August and pled not guilty in September. “Trayon White is accused of taking bribes. The prosecutors have established probable cause. Our investigation found substantial evidence of taking bribes,” said Chairman Phil Mendelson. Mendelson made the motion recommending the council expel White.  He requested a hearing date be set for January 28. “This is quintessential corruption. There is only one way to remove the corruption from our body. This incident has damaged the public trust necessary for government to function well,” said Mendelson. “Anything else than expulsion will not rectify the situation.” All 11 voting councilmembers voted in favor of moving forward with the expulsion process. Trayon White could not vote and Vincent Gray is no longer voting on council matters due to health issues. DC Council to consider next steps regarding Trayon White “The evidence is clear that Councilmember Trayon White was offered money to influence public safety contracts and he accepted the money,” said at Large Councilmember Robert White. Robert White noted that Trayon White voted for and supported the expulsion of Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans in 2019, when Evans was accused of breaking council conduct. He also pointed out Evans resigned before the expulsion hearing. He’s urging White to do the same. “It is my hope Councilmember Trayon White will not see this process to the end but will resign and seek whatever help because the work is hard and the work is heavy and all of us make mistakes,” said Robert White. “Sometimes those mistakes impact others despite whether or not we intended. And when we do that, we have to get the help we need and come back stronger and better.” Supporters of Trayon White expressed outrage and anger after the vote. “They continue to talk about trust, public trust. We went out to the polls to vote for Trayon White even after we understood what the charges were and everything,” said Nate Ward, a White supporter and Ward 8 constituent. “We also believe in due process involved and all that stuff. He has not been given his due process in the law. They have rushed in judgment. They are trying to steal his seat.” Regina Pixley, a long time Ward 8 resident, also expressed disdain. “None of them are going to do the work. And these at large people, we’re going to repay them in a big way,” she said. “How many of them come to Ward 8 and assist the residents in everyday matters?” White did not speak to media after the meeting, but he did give a brief statement prior to it starting. He criticized that taxpay dollars spent on the investigation and maintained his innocence. “Nobody in all of these interviews is saying I tried to bribe them. I’m confident in that,” said White. I know the council has to make a decision but I do also want to say that this last month over 20,000 people in Ward 8 decided that they wanted me to be their council member, so I’m sticking to that.” White won reelection in November, despite fighting a federal bribery charge. Council is expected to meet for the expulsion hearing on January 28, however no action will be taken at that hearing. The next legislative meeting is February 4, where a vote to expel White could potentially occur. 10 out of the 11 voting council members must vote in favor to expel White.