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The State of the District address opened last night in an unusual way: With Mayor Vincent Gray telling the city he didn’t break the law.

After being welcomed by a standing ovation, loud applause and chants of “Four more years,” Gray addressed the allegation that he knew about the shadow campaign conducted by Jeffrey Thompson for his benefit in 2010.

“Federal authorities, who have conducted a wide-ranging investigation into years of campaign and election fraud, brought a man to justice yesterday,” Gray said. “That man sought to, among other things, illegally subvert the election of President Barack Obama. And illegally pumped money into 28 District and federal campaigns and elections over the past decade. Federal investigators are now using this man’s words to suggest that I broke the law.”

Gray then listed his past accomplishments, including working with the Department of Human Services and Covenant House. “In 2004, I was elected to the D.C. Council. The job was a 40 percent pay cut for me, but the opportunity to pursue a new path in public service was more important than any paycheck,” he said.

“So I ask you, who do you believe?” Gray said to loud applause. “A greedy man attempting to save himself, or me, a public servant who has dedicated my entire career and my entire life to giving back to our communities in the District of Columbia?”

Gray said he is not “just another corrupt politician from the other side of town” and “not some caricature drawn up by an eager press corps,” but a person.

“I say this to all of you now, clearly and unequivocally: I didn’t break the law.”