Is Mayor Muriel Bowser violating DC Code by accepting lavish trips? | I-Team
After months of investigating the 7News I-Team is asking one simple question: Did violate DC's on three trips she made in the past two years?
A trip to Miami in 2022 to participate in the Fall Leadership of the .
A second trip to Dubai in 2023 to attend the .
Plus, a third trip on a private jet to the 2024 in Augusta, Georgia.
The U.S. Conference of Mayors paid for the Miami and Dubai trips, according to Mayor Bower's Office.
Through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request the7News I-Team discovered the District doesn't have any receipts with Mayor Bowser's name on it for the Miami or Dubai trip. Not a hotel, plane ride, or a single meal.
According to or BEGA gifts made directly to the mayor should be disclosed on her financial disclosure statement annually.
"If the mayor does not disclose gifts, it depends on how the gift was received and whether it was an allowable gift. First, gifts made directly to the Mayor should be disclosed on her financial disclosure statement annually. The filing deadline for 2023 passed in May of this year. 2023 FDS forms (and prior years) are available on our website. 2024 won't be filed until next spring.
For gifts made to the District of Columbia, there is a donations process. I believe Serve DC keeps the records for those. The last time I checked, they have quarterly donations reports posted on their websites. I believe their office conducts trainings to keep agencies up to date on the procedures for accepting donations in this way.
If the gift is allowable, then of course there will not be a penalty. If not, DC Official Code 1–1162.21 discusses penalties. Essentially, it says that following a hearing, "...the Board may assess a civil penalty for a violation of the Code of Conduct of not more than $5,000 per violation, or 3 times the amount of an unlawful contribution, expenditure, gift, honorarium, or receipt of outside income for each violation. Each occurrence of a violation of this subchapter and each day of noncompliance with a requirement of this subchapter or an order of the Board shall constitute a separate offense."
I hope that helps!
Thank you,
Rashee Raj
General Counsel
Board of Ethics and Government Accountability"
Both the Miami and Dubai trips are not listed as gifts on her
The District also doesn't have a donation agreement with the U.S. Conference of Mayors so both trips are not considered a donation to the District.
If a gift is accepted by the mayor and it's not allowed by the DC Code, Bowser would violate the District's Code of Conduct. That can carry a fine of up to $5,000 per violation, or three times the amount of the gift.
In a previous 7News investigation aired about the mayor's Masters Tournament trip, her Director of Communications, Susana Castillo emailed this on July 17, 2024.
"Mayor Bowser's travels aim to bring more business to the city, foster growth, and revitalize downtown. By meeting with investors and business leaders, she works to attract new opportunities that benefit our community and drive economic development.
Susana Castillo
Communications Director | Office of Communications
Executive Office of Mayor ( EOM)"
EDENS told 7News it was reimbursed by the city in June for the private jet ride. The problem? Events DC can't supply any proof it paid EDENS back for the jet ride.
Here's an April 9 email from the mayor's Director of Communications Susana Castillo answering 7News' initial questions regarding the mayor's trip to the Masters.
"Who did she take with her and who paid for the trip? The Mayor was invited by the two Co-Chairs of the .
The Mayor was joined by Beverly Perry, Senior Advisor to Mayor Bowser.
Finally, why did she go? As part of a sports and economic development visit.
Do you have an expense report? Events DC covered the trip.
Thanks,
Susana Castillo
Communications Director | Office of Communications
Executive Office of Mayor ( EOM)"
According to the DC Code, the mayor can't accept a gift from a prohibited source which means a company doing business with the District. EDENS qualifies as a prohibited source. It receives up to $82 million in property tax discounts from D.C. to help rebuild the Union Market area.
Here is another email from Castillo on July 7:
"Hello Kevin,
Washington DC Economic Partnership paid for Mayor Bowser - Masters Golf Tournament April 2024'
Events DC paid for Mayor Bowser
3.US Conference of Mayors delegation for the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Dubai. – November 2023
The Chamber of Commerce paid for Mayor Bowser
USCM paid for Mayor Bowser's hotel and the flight was covered by DC Gov
Thanks,
Susana Castillo
Communications Director | Office of Communications
Executive Office of Mayor ( EOM)"
The Chamber of Commerce told 7News it did not pay for the mayor's trip to Dubai. As we reported earlier, it was paid by the U.S. Conference of Mayors.
