D.C. Mayor Vince Gray’s administration violated federal laws by hiring the adult child of a top mayoral aide and his mayoral campaign passed cash to another candidate, a D.C. Council committee has concluded. In a report released Tuesday, a special council committee headed by Ward 3 Councilwoman Mary Cheh concluded that the actions of three of Gray’s closest aides badly damaged the city’s image.

“Hiring relatives of senior members of the Gray administration, engaging in cronyism, violating standard personnel practices, giving money to Mr. [Sulaimon] Brown… caused deep harm to the District government,” the report said. “Although this damage is not irreparable, it will take time for the residents of the District of Columbia to regain trust in their government.”