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The GW Hatchet

Serving the GW Community since 1904

The GW Hatchet

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Officials name senior vice president, chief of staff
By Fiona Riley, Assistant News Editor • March 26, 2024

D.C. Council reprimands Jack Evans for business deal scandal

Jack+Evans%2C+a+D.C.+councilmember+representing+Ward+2%2C+was+under+review+by+the+Councils+ethics+board.
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Jack Evans, a D.C. councilmember representing Ward 2, was under review by the Council’s ethics board.

The D.C. Council unanimously voted Tuesday to reprimand Councilmember Jack Evans for using his post as a government official to capture business deals with law firms that lobby the District, The Washington Post reported.

Evans, who represents Ward 2, where Foggy Bottom is located, is currently the subject of a federal criminal investigation for his business relationships. The vote comes after several local politicians have called for repercussive action against Evans, including junior and Foggy Bottom and West End Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner James Harnett.

While a reprimand vote is only an expression of disapproval, Chairman Phil Mendelson also proposed additional consequences Tuesday, like shifting some of Evans’ responsibilities, including oversight on tax abatements and the Commission on the Arts and Humanities, to other committee leaders. Evans would still lead the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority and the D.C. Lottery, among other agencies, The Post reported.

The latter penalties require an additional vote from the Council next month, according to The Post.

Evans is the District’s longest-serving councilmember, but some constituents have pushed for a recall election in light of the federal investigation. Evans offered an apology for his dealings privately in a meeting with some councilmembers ahead of the meeting last week, Washington City Paper reported in March.

“I brought embarrassment to this Council, to myself and my family,” Evans said at the Council meeting Tuesday. “Going forward, I will work tirelessly to restore the trust of my constituents, of my colleagues here on the Council and of the residents of the District of Columbia.”

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