The enraged D.C. Council on Thursday circulated the first photo released to the media of former Office of Tax and Revenue employee Harriette Walters, who stands accused of masterminding the theft of at least $31 million from the District’s property tax coffers. Walters is pictured wearing one of the many dresses she is said to have purchased from Neiman Marcus with her ill-gotten money. You can also see her tax office employee badge. No other…

The overwhelming consensus so far at today’s D.C. Council hearing on the recent theft of what looks to be $30 million-plus from the District’s tax coffers? The scandal has damaged the reputation of the city government, and the council members are pissed. While most statements have clung to the nasty tidbits of information we already know (the enormity of the crime, that an auditor’s warnings may have been ignored) and palliative cliches, council members provided…

Good morning, Washington. In case you didn’t believe us when we first told you that this tax office corruption scandal was going to get bigger and badder as the week went on, just check out the trio of stories on offer from the Post this morning on the widening scandal. First and foremost, it turns out Harriette Walters and Diane Gustus allegedly worked together to steal $4 million more than originally thought, bringing the grand…

By fashion contributor Rachel Cothran. Find more of her writing and street photography at her web site Project Beltway. In a city where power tends to dictate fashion, instead of the other way around, it is possible to see beyond the power suits and prove that the nation’s capital has a style as fascinating as the people shaping its unique culture. Each week we’re going to take an anthropological approach to style in Washington, presenting…

In a perfect world, DCist would purchase its holiday gifts straight out of “Fantasy Gifts” section of the Neiman Marcus Christmas Book catalogue. Unfortunately, we lack the $3.5 million to purchase the Jetsonian M400 Skycar for Dad and the $1.5 million to lock up the private Elton John concert for Mom. Considering both our relative poverty and our reluctance to be a Cell Phone Bandit copycat, we must turn to other – significantly cheaper –…

DCist noted last week that the Mandarin Oriental is offering a lavish $200,500 package for inauguration week. The Atlanta Journal-Constutition offers a few more details on the offer. Guests signing up for the service will have their choice access to either a Hummer, Rolls Royce, or Maybach for the week, private jet service to D.C. from their home, and an outfit from Neiman Marcus: [an]Oscar de la Renta evening gown and matching Manolo Blahnik shoes,…