D.C. Councilman Phil Mendelson has joined the list of elected officials whose campaigns have been subpoenaed by a federal grand jury regarding a wide-ranging probe into election finances in the District.
Mendelson, an at-large council member, said he learned Wednesday afternoon that the treasurers of his 2006 and 2010 re-election campaign committees were served with subpoenas from the U.S. Attorney regarding documents related to campaign fundraising and contributions from Jeffrey Thompson.
Thompson, his companies and associates have combined to give hundreds of thousands of dollars to District political candidates through the years.
“I understand that many others have received subpoenas regarding Mr. Thompson’s campaign fundraising,” Mendelson said. “I regret that this has created yet another controversy around City Hall. I believe disclosure is the best course. I am hopeful that the U.S. Attorney’s investigation will uncover the facts as quickly as possible.”
The Washington Examiner reported Tuesday that at least two council members had received a subpoena with more expected to come. One obtained by The Examiner asks the recipient to provide documents — including emails, telephone records and notes — related to Thompson, his companies and certain business partners. It requests information on activities as far back as January 2003.
Mendelson said Thompson solicited campaign contributions on behalf of the councilman in September 2010. Mendelson received 15 checks, seven personal and eight business. Each was for $1,000.
