D.C. CFO Natwar Gandhi. Photo by DCCA.

D.C. Chief Financial Officer Natwar Gandhi is likely to be reappointed to a third five-year term today, reports the Washington Times. The move ends speculation as to his future in the position; last month, a former D.C. councilmember and a prominent D.C. activist argued that scandals and frauds under Gandhi’s leadership called into question his ability to stay in the position for another five years.

While Gandhi is generally well-regarded by the Wall Street types he often visits to ensure that D.C.’s credit rating remain high, long-time foe Councilmember David Catania (I-At Large) wasted no time in expressing his disappointment that Mayor Vince Gray was planning on keeping him on.

“I am disappointed to hear of Mayor Gray’s decision to reappoint Natwar Gandhi to another 5 year term. It is inconceivable to me that someone who let over $50 million in public funds walk out the door of his own agency; failed to collect legally mandated real estate taxes to the tune of $100 million; consistently put forward inaccurate revenue projections forcing unnecessary tax hikes and service cuts; and underestimated the cost of a baseball stadium by more than $200 million should retain their position. That is not the kind of job performance that warrants continued confidence,” said Catania.

According to the Post, though, Gandhi’s will likely be approved by the council due to ongoing concerns as to the need for stability in the city in the midst of ongoing ethical and legal scandals. Gandhi recently started fighting back against claims that he shouldn’t get another term, writing an email to Post columnist Colbert King in response to an op-ed King wrote in which he criticized Gandhi tenure.

While the city’s chief financial officer is appointed by the mayor and approved by the D.C. Council, the office has been independent since the Control Board managed the city’s finances. Before he became mayor, Anthony Williams served as the city’s CFO.