Ex-DC public safety official admits to bribery scheme involving city contracts

A former Deputy Director of the District of Columbia's Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (ONSE), Dana McDaniel, has pleaded guilty to accepting over $10,000 in bribes aimed at securing contracts and grants for businesses linked to a Maryland individual. Federal prosecutors revealed that McDaniel, 44, used her position to misdirect public funds towards two D.C.-based companies that were associated with the person who bribed her.

McDaniel held her role at ONSE from January 2020 until April 2023, during which she oversaw various programs, including the Violence Intervention (VI) Initiative designed to mitigate gun violence in the city. Court documents indicate that her criminal activities began prior to September 2022 and continued at least through August 2024.

The companies that benefitted from McDaniel’s misconduct included one that was marketed as a community initiative supporting high-risk youth and adults, while the other provided services as part of the ONSE's VI initiative in Ward 5. According to federal authorities, McDaniel was specifically involved in directing contracts and grants to these entities in exchange for cash payments.

McDaniel's sentencing has been scheduled for August 6, 2025, and she could face a maximum of 15 years in prison for her actions. This case was announced by various federal agencies, including the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia, the FBI's Washington Field Office, and the IRS Criminal Investigations Division.

The guilty plea highlights the ongoing efforts by federal authorities to combat corruption within government agencies and ensure accountability for public officials who exploit their positions for personal gain.