Jim Graham's chief of staff accused of bribery

WASHINGTON - The chief of staff for D.C. councilmember Jim Graham has been arrested on bribery charges.

The indictment unsealed Thursday in federal court says Ted Loza, 44, took cash payments on two separate occassions from a lobbyist for the taxi cab industry in exchange for favorable legislation.

Graham chairs the council's Committee on Public Works and Transportation, which has oversight and authority over the D.C. Taxicab Commission. Loza has worked with Graham since 1998.

The indictment alleges that Loza received two separate bribe payments -- $1,000 on June 19 and $500 on July 10.

The individual provided "cash, the use of vehicles and trips," according to the indictment.

Loza agreed to help promote a limit on the number of D.C. taxicab licenses.

He was taken into custody at his home by the FBI Thursday. He faces 60 years in jail and $500,000 fine.

Graham says he was unaware of and uninvolved in any illegal activity.

"I have had no engagement whatsoever in any illegal or unethical behaviors," Graham told reporters.

Graham said Loza never lobbied him on the taxi cab legislation, which Graham introduced this month.

"I want to re-state that nothing that happened, that has been alleged, whether it occurred or didn't occur, had any influence on any action I took in terms of the legislation on taxi cabs which I introduced on June 30th. The legislation is a direct reflection of a year's work on a task force that came up with various forms and pieces of the legislation that was introduced," Graham said.

Council Chairman Vincent Gray was unaware of the investigation.

"I will leave the criminal investigation in the hands of law enforcement authorities and let the justice process take its course," Gray said in a statement.

"I plan to have a conversation with Councilmember Graham to determine if the investigation will have any bearing on the broad operations of the Council, and how this may affect the work of his office and the Committee on Public Works and Transportation, which Mr. Graham chairs."

Graham said Loza was a trusted advisor who immigrated to the United States as a child and was hoping to become a United States citizen.

"Teddy was somebody who I worked with for nine years, and someone who I had grown to trust and have confidence in," Graham says. "The staff here is very upset, as you can well imagine."

Loza has been placed on administrative leave with pay, Graham says. Graham says he is unsure of Loza's salary, but believes Loza makes around $90,000 a year.

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

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