D.C. Ethics Board Finds Evidence of Bad Conduct by Graham

The District of Columbia's ethics board found evidence that D.C. Council member Jim Graham violated the city's code of conduct for elected officials when he intervened in the lottery contracting process, but the board says it's not pursuing the matter because it has no authority to punish him.

The board investigated whether Graham improperly offered to support a developer's bid for the lottery contract in 2008 in exchange for the developer's withdrawal from a project at a Metro station. It found that he lost impartiality and gave preferential treatment to another developer that had contributed to his campaign.

But the board said it can't sanction Graham because his actions occurred before the board was created.

A federal grand jury also is investigating the lottery contracting process, including Graham's involvement.