DC Council

DC Council Chair Urges Jack Evans to Quit Before Expulsion Vote

An investigation found that Council Member Jack Evans used his office to benefit private clients without disclosing possible conflicts of interest

The chairman of the D.C. Council has urged a member saddled with allegations of wrongdoing to resign before a formal vote to expel him from office.

Council Chairman Phil Mendelson urged Council Member Jack Evans to resign on Tuesday after all of his fellow council members agreed to recommend his expulsion, The Washington Post reported. Evans hasn't returned requests for comment since then.

"We had a long conversation, and I would say it's unclear to me what he's going to do, but that does not mean he was debating whether to resign," Mendelson said.

Mendelson said this isn't the first time he's urged Evans to resign. He spoke with Evans about resigning in September, amid a council-backed investigation into allegations of ethical violations by Evans.

The results of that third-party investigation released last month found that Evans used his office to benefit private clients whose hefty payments he failed to disclose or recognize as conflicts of interest. Similar allegations are under federal investigation and cost Evans his role as the chair of the The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority board.

Before Evans can be expelled, lawmakers must hold a hearing at which he's invited to testify. That could happen as soon as Dec. 17, the newspaper says.

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