Sources: DC Inspector General Launches Inquiry Into Alleged Pay-to-Play

The D.C. inspector general will investigate reports that Mayor Muriel Bowser's administration steered contracts for political reasons, sources tell News4.

The two probes involve city contracting to clear land for a soccer stadium in Southwest D.C. and a $60 million Washington Wizards practice facility in Southeast D.C.

Former General Services contracting director Christopher Weaver abruptly quit in August and said the administration tried to interfere in awards that did not go to a favored contractor.

Dismissed city contracting official Yinka Alao is suing the city for $10 million. He contends the Bowser administration "embarked on a crusade to defame."

Earlier this month, members of the D.C. Council began three days of closed sessions on possible pay-to-play arrangements after a member of the Department of General Services quit abruptly.

The D.C. Council probe will extend into next year, Councilmember Mary Cheh said Tuesday.

"I expect to get everything wrapped up, I'm hoping, by the end of January, and we can release what we can release. We'll have our own report with our own recommendations," she said.

Inspector General Dan Lucas said in a statement: "The inspector general is always interested in pursuing suspected wrongdoing. We are paying careful attention to the contracting matter. We will respond according to our legislative mandate."

D.C. City Administrator Rashad Young testified to the Council that the Bowser administration did nothing wrong. The mayor's office said Tuesday that officials look forward to the release of the full facts at the appropriate time.

The inspector general could find no wrongdoing or refer the case for criminal prosecution.

Stay with News4 for more details on this developing story.

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