Some pretty damning video here: Ted Loza, the former Jim Graham chief of staff who pled guilty to felony bribery charges in February, is clearly seen on tape accepting money from an FBI informant outside the District’s city hall.
WTTG/Fox5 got their hands on the tapes, the first of which depicts what Loza’s attorneys are calling a “Father’s Day gift.” Fox reports that the FBI put informant Abdul Kamus — who had been supplying Loza with money in order to court favor for legislation benefitting a group of cab drivers — inside a car that was wired for video and sound on June 19, 2009. The tape shows Loza awkwardly accepting a payment.
A second tape shows Loza meeing with Kamus in a vehicle outside the Wilson Building later, and handing him the legislation in question. Loza then accepts more money, and tells Kamus, “You know I need it. That’s why I take it, you know.”
Loza is facing up to 14 months in prison.
As far as Graham goes, the Ward 1 Councilmember told Fox that he didn’t report the bribe to the police when it was revealed to him because he trusted Loza, even though he knew the envelope was “radioactive.” Graham also told NBC4’s Tom Sherwood that he was “very proud of the fact that I said no.” Uh, good for you, Councilmember, I guess.