WASHINGTON - Ward 1 Councilman Jim Graham's chief of staff was arrested Thursday morning on charges he was bribed to bring forward taxicab legislation.

Ted Giovanny Loza was indicted September 17, 2009, on bribery charges, according to court documents. He was arraigned Thursday in U.S. District Court and released on his own recognizance.

The 10-page indictment alleges an unnamed private citizen with "financial interests in the taxicab industry" provided a stream of things, including "cash, the use of vehicles, and trips", to Loza, 45, in return for "promoting legislation favorable" to the briber.

» read the indictment

According to the court records, Loza and Individual Number 1 met on June 19 about the taxicab legislation. Individual Number 1 pushes Loza to bring forward a bill that create a medallion system for licensing the D.C. taxicabs and would provide an exemption to the District's moratorium on taxicab licenses for hybrid cabs.

Loza accepted a $1,000 bribe at the meeting, according to the indictment.

• "Do I just take it, or --" Loza allegedly asked.
• "Yeah," Individual Number 1 replied.
• "What is this for, though? Just a gift? A Father's Day gift?" Loza asked, according to the indictment.
• "Yes, sir," Individual Number 1 replied.
• Loza then asks: "What do you want me to do? What do you want, I'll talk to [Public Official Number 1]. And I can call you back later on --" the indictment states.

Graham is Public Official Number 1, according to the description provided in the indictment.

The indictment says Loza, Individual Number  1 and Graham met to discuss the legislation on June 29. But Graham denied that Thursday:

"Mr Loza has never to my recollection spoken to me about any element of any taxicab bill that I was considering," Graham said.

The councilman admitted to meeting Individual Number 1, but said Loza did not attend that meeting. Graham declined to identify Individual Number 1. 

Prosecutors allege Graham agreed at the meeting to introduce the bill. Public records show Graham introduced the bill the next day, June 30.

On July 10, Loza met again with Individual Number 1, according to the indictment. Loza handed the man two copies of the legislation introduced on June 30, that includes an exemption for gasoline-electric hybrid taxicabs.

According to the transcript, Individual Number 1 hands Loza an envelope with $500 inside, saying "This is for you." According to the transcript, Loza replies, "You know I need it. That's why I take it, you know."

ABC 7's Sam Ford saw FBI (web) agents searching Loza's office in the Wilson building Monday. They appeared to be seizing computer equipment.

Graham summoned his staff for a meeting after returning from a Metro Board meeting, at which he learned of the arrest. Graham said Loza had previously informed him he was the target of an FBI probe.

Graham said Loza is a permanent resident from Ecuador and has been on his staff for nine years and chief of staff for 5 years.

"This office and myself will cooperate fully with the Federal Bureau of Investigation," Graham said. He later added that Loza has been placed on paid administrative leave.

If convicted of the charges in the indictment, Loza faces up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for each count, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

In June, one of Graham's interns, 19-year-old Devyn Black, was arrested and charged in connection with a shooting outside the Columbia Heights Metro station.

Ted Loza in a clip posted on YouTube.

 

 

 

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