Mayor Vince Gray should probably be happy he’s still in Las Vegas for the annual retailers convention, because it’s feeling a little awkward for him today here in D.C.

Thomas Gore, a close friend and former assistant treasurer of his 2010 mayoral campaign, today pleaded guilty to steering money orders to the floundering campaign of fringe candidate Sulaimon Brown and then destroying evidence of the fact once federal investigators started looking into the allegations.

The money—$660—was allegedly paid to Brown for his virulent verbal attacks on Mayor Adrian Fenty on the campaign trail. Brown was later given a $110,000-a-year job in the Gray administration, though he was quickly fired after questions regarding his qualifications were raised. Soon thereafter, Brown began admitting to the payments, provoking a federal investigation that is ongoing.

Today in court Gore admitted to facilitating the payments and destroying the evidence thereafter. And in a twist worthy of a police drama, he was caught making the admission to Howard Brooks, another campaign aide, who was wearing a wire as part of his cooperation with federal investigators. Gore later lied to FBI investigators about the payments and a spiral notebook that contained details on them.

“In 2010, the voters of the District of Columbia were deceived,” said U.S. Attorney Ron Machen in a strong statement on the guilty plea. “Envelopes stuffed with fraudulent money orders prevented the public from knowing that one mayoral campaign was secretly financing the campaign of an opposing candidate. This prosecution demonstrates how hard it is to bury the truth forever and reflects our commitment to ensuring that the people of the District of Columbia get the fair and transparent electoral system that they deserve.”

Gore faces between 12 to 18 months in prison and a possible fine of $3,000 to $30,000 for the felony offense of obstruction of justice, and up to six months for each of three misdemeanor charges of violating D.C. campaign finance violations. (His sentence could be reduced depending on cooperation with federal officials.)

His plea of course raises the intriguing question: who’s next? Fred Cooke, Gore’s lawyer, told WTOP Mark Segraves that he thinks others will be charged. NBC4’s Chuck Thies, though, thinks that while a cloud may still remain over Gray, he has managed to govern in the midst of scandal: “One thing we do know, however, is that Gray has already weathered the storm of scandal and proved his ability to govern regardless of accusations and rumor amidst a media feeding frenzy.” (Ken Archer at Greater Greater Washington largely agrees.)

The Post’s editorial page wants answers:

Mr. Gray has denied any wrongdoing. On Monday his office directed inquiries to his personal attorney, Bob Bennett, who refused to comment. Mr. Bennett may be looking out for the best interests of his client by not commenting on an active and apparently deepening investigation, but District residents are right to wonder why Mr. Gray — if he has nothing to hide, as he contends — isn’t expressing shock or disappointment or anger.

The chance remains that this could climb higher, if not further damage Gray’s reputation. And if that happens, it’ll seem even more ridiculous that it happened over $660—if not more—to a candidate that convinced nobody of anything.