A federal grand jury is hearing evidence into accusations of election misdeeds leveled by a former mayoral candidate at D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray’s campaign, The Washington Examiner has learned.
The U.S. Attorney’s office turned to the grand jury in April as part of its ongoing assessment of Sulaimon Brown’s charges that members of Gray’s mayoral campaign passed Brown cash-stuffed envelopes and money orders so he would stay in the race and keep up his verbal assault on then-Mayor Adrian Fenty, an attorney associated with the case confirmed to The Examiner. A law enforcement source confirmed a grand jury was involved in the case, but would not discuss it further.
Prosecutors must get a grand jury’s approval to file felony charges, and in a high-profile case might use a grand jury for misdemeanor charges. They also use grand juries to issue subpoenas to third parties, such as banks and other financial institutions.
Gray’s attorney, Robert Bennett, told The Examiner “the mayor has not been called” in front of a grand jury.
| Timeline |
| Jan. 2: Vince Gray sworn in as mayor. |
| Feb. 19: It’s revealed Gray has hired allies and family members of staffers to his administration, among them Sulaimon Brown. |
| Feb. 24: Brown is fired. |
| March 6: Brown accuses Gray of a cash-for-campaigning scheme. |
| April: The U.S. Attorney’s office begins bringing evidence and witnesses before a grand jury. |
| June 6: Brown testifies before the D.C. Council. Wearing sunglasses, Brown says Gray directed cash payments to Brown and provides copies of money orders he says campaign members gave him. Gray later denies that he played any role in alleged payments. |
“I’ve investigated this thoroughly,” Bennett said. “There is absolutely no merit to any accusations that Mayor Gray knew or participated or authorized any payments to Sulaimon Brown.”
Although grand juries don’t always result in charges, turning to one is a “serious step,” former D.C. U.S. Attorney Joseph diGenova said.
“A grand jury ups the ante in terms of witnesses cooperating truthfully with the government,” diGenova said. “It’s one thing to flimflam with the press with public statements that are either true or false, and another to do it with a grand jury when you’re under oath.”
A spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s office declined to comment other than to say “we are looking into these matters,” referring to Brown’s claims. It is illegal for prosecutors to discuss grand jury activity with the public.
Congressional investigators and the D.C. Council are also looking into Brown’s accusations.
At a recent council hearing, Brown added to his list of claims an allegation that Gray personally directed a member of the campaign’s finance committee, Howard Brooks, and campaign Chairwoman Lorraine Green to give Brown the cash. Brown also presented to the council evidence of money orders signed by associates of Brooks. The alleged signatories deny their signatures appear on the orders. Brown also says Gray promised him a job so he would stay on the campaign trail. In February, the Gray administration hired Brown and gave him a $110,000 annual salary. He was fired three weeks later and then leveled his accusations. Gray says he only promised Brown an interview.
Brown could not be reached for comment on Monday. Brooks’ attorney declined to comment and Green’s attorney did not respond to a request for comment.
