Councilmember Tommy Wells (D-Ward 6) will return donations he received for his mayoral campaign from former Options Public Charter School managers currently under investigation for allegedly misusing funds.

The Post’s Mike DeBonis first reported the news on Twitter, saying that Wells will return five checks that total around $3,000 he received after meeting with the former Options managers to discuss education. Wells’ interim campaign manager Daniel Conner confirmed this, adding that the exact number was $2,520.

“Yesterday’s allegations of DC Charter school officials’ involvement in self-dealing scams are a disappointment,” Wells said in a statement. “I have a zero tolerance policy for corruption in the District government—especially at our schools. I have immediately ordered my staff to thoroughly review my campaign donations and to return all contributions from any individual associated with the actions under investigation.”

The District filed a lawsuit this week against Dr. Donna D. Montgomery, Dr. David Cranford, and Paul S. Dalton, claiming they funded their private companies with millions in District funds. Also named in the suit is WUSA9 anchor and former Options board of trustees chair Dr. J.C. Hayward, who allegedly assisted the three by signing contracts. From WUSA9’s story on the suit:

JC Hayward told WUSA9 she did nothing wrong, and all she did was sign bills in her capacity as chair of the charter school’s board, and that she received no money. She says she resigned from the school’s board last week.

WUSA General Manager Mark Burdett says Hayward has been relieved of her duties at WUSA pending further investigation.

In his statement, Wells said “that D.C. education officials would dare to take advantage of our students and the trust of parents and taxpayers is disgraceful. Now is the time to put an end to business as usual and restore the public’s trust.”

Wells said he will continue to only accept donations from named individuals, as opposed to corporate or anonymous donors.