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Ward 1 Councilmember Jim Graham does not think highly of his colleague Ward 6 Councilmartyr Saint Tommy Wells‘ proposal to form an ad hoc committee to consider whether Graham ought to be punished by his colleagues. Late Friday, Wells called on D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson to form such a committee, after the Board of Ethics issued a scathing report saying Graham had violated the city’s code of conduct five years ago when he tried to help a campaign contributor get part of a Metro development deal.
“I think you know that Wells is running for mayor and he’s got one eye on the Washington Post editorial board,” says Graham, referencing the fact that the Post called on him to resign Friday. Graham has denied any wrondgoing and says the Board of Ethics came to a conclusion without giving him a proper chance to defend himself.
Forming an ad hoc committee would be the first step toward the Council censuring Graham. The Council could also take the less severe and formal step of passing a resolution reprimanding Graham. Mendelson was out of town last week and has not returned calls seeking comment.
Wells, who has not formally announced a mayoral run but has said it’s likely he’ll do so, said the Council “could not ignore” the Board of Ethics’ report, as well as a report commissioned by Metro’s board that also found wrongdoing on Graham’s part.
Photo by Darrow Montgomery