First, D.C. Council Chairman Kwame Brown snatched a coveted committee from a nemesis. Now, it appears Mayor Vincent Gray’s administration has exacted its own brand of retribution. On May 25 and June 1, Department of Real Estate Services Contracting Officer Diane Wooden issued Banneker Ventures letters of “Intent to Award” two contracts totaling $630,000, according to documents obtained by The Washington Examiner. The company was to renovate Langdon Recreation Center and “build out” space for the Office of the Chief Financial Officer. Banneker offered the lowest price in two rounds of competitive bidding that drew 19 and 18 responses respectively.

DRES changed its decision. Government sources said Banneker was the victim of political payback — an allegation the Gray administration officially denied.