In a shocking turn of events, a nonprofit organization connected to a bribery scandal involving DC councilman Trayon White has been awarded $20 million by the city. The organization, Life Deeds, has faced scrutiny over its financial dealings and alleged misconduct, raising questions about the integrity of city contracts.
Key Takeaways
- Life Deeds, a nonprofit aiding underserved communities, was awarded $20 million despite its connection to a bribery case.
- The founder, Allieu Kamara, allegedly bribed councilman Trayon White with $35,000.
- Life Deeds has a history of legal troubles, including submitting falsified documents for contracts.
- The organization has received significant funding from the city since its inception in 2012.
Background of Life Deeds
Founded in 2012, Life Deeds aims to assist underserved community members by providing support in housing, employment, and various strength-based initiatives. Over the years, the organization has secured approximately $20.5 million in contracts with the District of Columbia across multiple agencies.
However, the organization’s reputation has been marred by legal issues. In 2019, Life Deeds faced termination of contracts with the Department of Health and Human Services after it was discovered that the organization submitted falsified criminal background checks for its employees at a homeless shelter. Although the contract was terminated, Life Deeds challenged the decision in court.
The Bribery Allegations
The bribery scandal centers around Allieu Kamara, the founder of Life Deeds, who is alleged to have bribed councilman Trayon White. According to reports, Kamara paid White $35,000 last summer to influence city contracts in favor of his organization. This allegation was brought to light by an FBI informant, leading to an investigation that confirmed the bribery.
In a separate incident, Kamara pleaded guilty to fraud related to the Paycheck Protection Program and admitted to bribing a DC official to prevent the termination of contracts with Life Deeds. The details of the contracts mentioned in the indictment align with public records from when Life Deeds contested the city’s decision.
Recent Developments
Despite the ongoing investigation and the serious allegations against its founder, Life Deeds was awarded new contracts and grants from the city, totaling an estimated $11 million. These contracts include managing housing for youth transitioning out of juvenile detention and initiatives aimed at reducing violence between neighborhoods.
Interestingly, two of the contracts awarded to Life Deeds did not have any competing bids. City officials justified this decision by stating that the organization was uniquely qualified to address the long-standing issues of gun violence in the affected communities.
Conclusion
The awarding of $20 million to Life Deeds raises significant ethical concerns, especially in light of the ongoing bribery investigation involving its founder. As the city continues to grapple with issues of transparency and accountability, the future of Life Deeds and its operations remains uncertain. The situation serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in public funding and the importance of maintaining integrity in nonprofit organizations.
Sources
- Nonprofit group connected to DC councilman bribery case was awarded $20 million by city – hjgoose, www.hjgoose.com.tw.
