DC Mayor Probed over Jobs for Political Backers

There’s no political honeymoon for the District of Columbia’s new mayor, Vincent Gray, the Washington Wire blog of the Wall Street Journal reports. Gray’s administration is under investigation for giving high-paying municipal jobs to political supporters and their family members even as the city labors under a $400 million deficit.

One witness, Brandon Webb, testified before the D.C. City Council on Thursday that he was hired without an interview at $65,000 a year to be the fire chief’s community liaison. Webb’s mother, Rochelle Webb, was acting director of the city Department of Employment Services at the time.

Both Webbs have since left their posts, two of several political appointees who have resigned, had nominations withdrawn or been dismissed in a widening scandal.

A distracted Gray will also have to contend with fallout from a possible shutdown of the federal government, which employs thousands of city residents, pays some of the city’s bills and provides services to D.C.’s continuous stream of tourists and visitors.