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Today is a big day for our neighbors in Virginia. It’s election day! Fun fact for folks standing in line at the polls: Virginia is one of five states to hold elections when there are no federal contests. Why? It’s accidental.

THE NEWS:

A law firm tasked by the Council to investigate Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans found 11 instances since 2014 where he violated ethics rules. “He received over $400,000 for doing little or no documented work for consulting clients most, if not all, of whom were also ‘prohibited sources’ under the Code of Official Conduct,” according to the report first obtained by the Post.

Among the 97-page report findings: Evans supported a controversial merger between Pepco and Exelon as a councilmember while trying to get a job at a law firm handling the merger’s utilities. He told his job prospect that he could sign Exelon as a client. And Evans got the job. He told the Post it was ethical because he supported the merger before he got the job at the firm. 

Evans’ scandals are also being investigated by the federal government and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit ­Authority. 

“It marks the first time the D.C. Council has detailed ethical lapses by Evans, the Ward 2 Democrat and the city’s longest-serving lawmaker,” writes the Post’s Fenit Nirappil. 

Evans rejects the firm’s findings and maintains his conduct was appropriate. His office intends to release a 40-page response today, per the Post. The Council is expected to take the next few weeks to review the probe. 

Options for discipline? The Council could vote to strip Evans of all his committee assignments, as they stopped short of doing in July. Over the summer, Evans was able to vote on his own punishment. But this time, Evans might not be able to. Discipline recommendations are up to an ad hoc committee tasked with investigating Evans and led by Ward 3 Councilmember Mary Cheh. 

Meanwhile, Ward 2 candidates vying for Evans’ seat on the Council were quick to respond online. “Oh come on, Jack,” tweets Patrick Kennedy. Daniel Hernandezwrites on Twitter: “Simply beyond the pale, and we haven’t even seen what the federal investigation will uncover yet. It’s time for change.” And Jordan Grossman says in a press statement, “Evans is unfit to serve on the DC Council and is an embarrassment to Ward 2. He should resign.” 

Evans’ challengers aren’t the only ones to demand that Evans resign. At-Large Councilmember David Grosso also called on Evans to resign over the summer to “save us all a lot of headache.” —Amanda Michelle Gomez (tips? Email agomez@washingtoncitypaper.com) 

MORE NEWS YOU CAN USE:

  • The Council won’t outlaw e-scooters overnight as previously proposed. [Curbed] 

  • U.S. Attorney Jessie Liu responds to criticism over her office’s failure to prosecute hate crimes. [Blade]   

  • Little free libraries: harbingers of gentrification? [DCist]

LOOSE LIPS LINKS, by Mitch Ryals (tips? mryals@washingtoncitypaper.com) 

  • Ward 2 Councilmember Jack Evans used his public office for private profit. [Post]

  • Shitty conditions in the D.C. jail continue, including inadequate health, re-entry, and job training programs. [WAMU]

  • Montgomery County executive stands by ban on pro-police flag. [NBC]

YOUNG & HUNGRY LINKS, by Laura Hayes (tips? lhayes@washingtoncitypaper.com) 

  • ICYMI: The D.C. region doesn’t have a dedicated food critic of color. Why that matters. [WCP]

  • A man was stabbed to death in Maryland over the Popeyes chicken sandwich. [NBC 4]

  • The Imperial is finally open in Adams Morgan. [Washingtonian]

  • &pizza is testing out discounting Lyft rides home for its employees. [WBJ]

ARTS LINKS, by Kayla Randall (tips? krandall@washingtoncitypaper.com)

  • Motherless Brooklyn is lacking, but its heart is in the right place. [WCP]

  • How rock band O.A.R. draws inspiration from Rockville. [Washingtonian]

  • Signature Theatre’s Mamma Mia! is coming to The Anthem in summer 2020. [DC Theatre Scene]

  • Readers look back on the Halloweens of old. [Post] 

SPORTS LINKS, by Kelyn Soong (tips? ksoong@washingtoncitypaper.com)

  • When Kurt Suzuki donned a MAGA hat at the White House ceremony yesterday, many Trump critics, especially those in marginalized communities, didn’t see an innocent World Series hero in a red cap. They saw a symbol of hate. [WCP]

  • Former NBA MVP candidate Isaiah Thomas made his first start with the Wizards last night—his first start since March 14, 2018. [NBC Sports Washington] 

  • Bill Callahan hasn’t committed to starting Dwayne Haskins Jr. against the Jets on Sunday. [Hogs Haven]

MAKE PLANS, by Emma Sarappo (Love this section? Get the full To Do This Week newsletter here. Tips? esarappo@washingtoncitypaper.com)

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