The cloud around Kwame Brown

We are not second-guessing the decision to bring the unrelated bank fraud charges against the two men and to insist on Kwame Brown’s resignation as chairman. Providing intentionally false information to banks is a serious offense, and, no matter how it was discovered, authorities had no choice but to prosecute it. That the city’s second-highest elected official should be mindful of the law is obvious. Moreover, lest anyone forget, it was Kwame Brown himself who invited investigation by the U.S. attorney. Faced with findings by campaign finance officials of numerous and serious violations of campaign finance laws, Mr. Brown asked the Board of Elections and Ethics in July 2011 to defer action (likely stiff fines and the attendant bad publicity) and instead refer the matter to federal prosecutors.

Kwame Brown had raised $825,000 in his largely uncontested race for reelection in 2008 as an at-large council member. An investigation by campaign officials revealed widespread discrepancies and irregularities. The raising and spending of more than $270,000 was not reported, and $239,000 was routed through one company before ending up at a firm run by Che Brown. Mr. Bolden told us that the money “absolutely” was used for campaign expenses but that there were issues with documentation since cash was involved. He said the government was provided with information — letters from vendors and a forensic reconstruction — to support the expenditures.

We hope Mr. Machen will detail what investigators learned about the activities of this campaign. How was this money raised and spent? What happens to the violations of campaign finance rules that had been documented by auditors in the campaign finance office? Kwame Brown is out of office, and this election is long past, but questions about the integrity of the process — and the adequacy of city laws and enforcement — are too critical to remain unanswered.