D.C. Council’ embattled member Jack Evans announced on Tuesday that he was stepping down from his post after months of mounting pressure due to multiple ethics violations.
Evans’ decision to resign came two business days before the Council was highly likely to discharge him.
“After nearly 30 years of public service to the District of Columbia, I have advised the Board of Elections that I resign my position as the Ward 2 Council member on the Council of the District of Columbia, as of close of business on Friday, January 17, 2020,” Evans said in his letter to Council Chairman Phil Mendelson.
“I believe Washington, D.C., to be the pride of the nation, and I am proud of the contributions I have made in helping to create a vibrant city. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the District of Columbia and the residents of Ward 2.”
Commenting on Evans’ move, Mendelson said it was the right decision for him and saved the Council members from putting more time and effort into the issue. He added that it was “important in a step in restoring integrity of the institution and the trust of the public,” despite it being a “sad moment.”
— Tom Sherwood (@tomsherwood) January 7, 2020
D.C. Council voted 12-0 in early December to recommend Evans’ expulsion in what will be a first in the District’s history.
Mayor Muriel Bowser said she was backing the Council’s decision in response to the vote last month.
Evans is under federal investigation for violating the District code and ethics rules more than 10 times over the past five years and accepting $400,000 from various companies as outside income. The investigation is being conducted by an independent law firm, O’Melveny & Myers.
Evans’ name has been removed from this collection. @kojoshow pic.twitter.com/J6w3qEhKO2
— Tom Sherwood (@tomsherwood) January 7, 2020
The firm released a 97-page report in November on the investigation. Among the findings were “failing to disclose the names of any of his consulting clients in his public financial disclosure statements”, “failing to disclose the identity of most of his consulting clients even to his own staff and “participating in his official capacity in ‘particular matters’ in which his outside employers or his personal clients had direct financial interests, failing to recognize the inherent conflict that should have been disclosed and addressed.”
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