Evans Slapped With $20,000 Fine by D.C. Ethics Board
By • August 9, 2019 0 564
Anyone who thought things had quieted down in the ethics controversy surrounding Ward 2 Council member Jack Evans was mistaken.
It was learned Thursday, Aug. 8, that the D.C. Board of Ethics and Government Accountability had fined Evans $20,000 for using government resources to tout his position and influence as an elected official, at the same time soliciting employment from local law firms, according to reports.
Earlier this year, Evans vacated his chairmanship and seat on the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority board. Also, he was stripped of the chairmanship of the District Council’s influential Financial Committee, though the Council did not take away any of his other positions.
Evans’s office sent out an email on Aug. 8 addressing the latest developments. It reads: “Councilmember Jack Evans today agreed to a consent settlement with the Board of Government Ethics and Accountability (BEGA) to resolve BEGA’s concerns regarding the issues involving the D.C. Council’s March 19, 2019 reprimand over his use of official time and resources to transmit a business proposal to two DC law firms to which he had applied, and the use of prestige of office or public position for private gain.
“Council member Evans, while not admitting any violation of the D.C. Council Code of Conduct, recognizes that these issues need resolution in order to avoid a protracted and constantly dispute resolution process.”
Evans, who has not been charged with any crime, is being investigated about his activities involving his service on the Council and his private business dealings. In addition, the Council hired a law firm which is examining his consulting activities.
