Sometimes, District politics are beyond surreal. Consider, for example, Marion Barry, as mayor, created an office to prevent discrimination against Asians and Pacific Islanders. As councilman, his recent bigoted remarks suggest he has placed them on his public enemies list.
Former Councilman Harry Thomas Jr. made his reputation as a youth and sports advocate. This year, however, he pleaded guilty to tax fraud and stealing more than a half-million dollars from those constituents to whom he claimed devotion. He is expected to be sentenced Thursday.
Now, Councilman Jim Graham, a legislator with his own history of questionable behaviors, announced last week his committee will launch a full-scale investigation, with subpoena powers, of the Children’s Youth Investment Trust Corp. CYITC was the quasigovernmental agency that provided the grant to the nonprofit organization Thomas used in his embezzlement scheme.
Putting aside Graham’s ethical history, an investigation would be duplicative, a waste of taxpayers’ money.
“I don’t understand why it’s necessary for the council to investigate when there are three other [current] investigations,” at-large Councilman Phil Mendelson told me recently.
Attorney General Irvin B. Nathan, who is already conducting an investigation of CYITC, made that same point. In an April 30 letter to Council Chairman Kwame R. Brown, the AG called Graham’s investigation “unwarranted.”
But to make nice, Nathan signed an agreement allowing the council probe to move forward.
He said it was better to resolve the dispute “amicably and expeditiously” so his investigation could proceed without further “distraction” from the council committee.
Still, Nathan said he continues to believe “a fourth investigation is ill-advised and potentially counterproductive.”
Truth be told, with Graham’s record, he shouldn’t be investigating anything. Remember, earlier this year, the Washington Post disclosed his shenanigans during the 2009 lottery contracting process. He allegedly attempted to muscle a developer into taking on a partner in a Metro construction project in exchange for Graham’s favorable vote on the lottery contract. Graham was a member of the Metro board at the time. Following those press reports, Metro announced it would investigate the allegations.
“I am able and in no way disqualified to conduct the conclusion of our committee’s investigation,” Graham asserted in an email to me.
Even if I ignored his past, there are other compelling reasons why neither he nor any council member should investigate CYITC.
Nathan noted in his letter to Brown that over the years many legislators have communicated with that organization about grants and grantees. It might be debatable as to whether a council-led probe would be a conflict of interest or create the appearance of a conflict. But it’s certain that association could undermine the public’s confidence in any findings from the legislature’s investigation.
Undoubtedly, many unresolved issues remain surrounding the role played by CYITC and council staffers — particularly Neil Rodgers — in the theft of public money. The answers the public deserves are best provided by the AG. After all, work by Nathan and his team paved the way for federal action against Thomas.
Jonetta Rose Barras’ column appears on Monday and Wednesday. She can be reached at [email protected].
Correction: Former Councilman Harry Thomas Jr. is scheduled to be sentenced Thursday, not Wednesday, as originally reported.
