WASHINGTON (AP) - Several key witnesses won't be testifying at an upcoming hearing on Washington Mayor Vincent Gray's hiring practices.

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The D.C. Council is looking into allegations that Gray's administration engaged in cronyism and nepotism.

Council member Mary Cheh wrote in a memo late Tuesday that Howard Brooks and his son Peyton Brooks have told the committee they intend to invoke their Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. Howard Brooks worked on Gray's campaign, and his son was hired by the administration but later resigned.

Cheh also wrote that former mayoral candidate Sulaimon Brown and Gray ally Cherita Whiting "appear to be intentionally avoiding" being served with subpoenas.

The hearing is scheduled for Friday. Cheh says she hopes to have Brown and Whting testify at another hearing on May 13.