Mitch Ryals
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mitchryals.bsky.social
Mitch Ryals
@mitchryals.bsky.social
Managing editor of Washington City Paper
Court filings also reference an argument White had that resulted in him getting kicked out of the casino.

washingtoncitypaper.com/article/7789...
February 11, 2026 at 3:40 AM
Reposted by Mitch Ryals
NEWS: Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White's trial for bribery, which was scheduled to begin March 24, will be delayed. A judge agreed that a "significant amount of new information" turned over last month by prosecutors to White's defense attorney justified holding off on trial. No new date yet.
February 9, 2026 at 10:47 PM
@dcpolicedept.bsky.social Officer Christopher Shahsavar agreed to sell a PlayStation 5 to a guy in Pennsylvania. He received the money via Venmo then ghosted the dude. He was charged with 4 felonies and was ordered to repay the victim. Now MPD is trying to fire him.
D.C. Cop Charged With Scamming Pennsylvania Man on Facebook Marketplace
Metropolitan Police Department Officer Christopher Bijan Shahsavar ghosted a man who paid him $2,500 for a gaming console.
washingtoncitypaper.com
February 11, 2026 at 3:35 AM
Reposted by Mitch Ryals
Couples’ content, coffee dates, and diamond maximalism are out. Meddling, marathon first dates, and elopements are in.

Here’s Ms. Guided’s take on what’s in, what’s out, and what your friend’s loser boyfriend says about her:
Ms. Guided: Relationship Ins and Outs for 2026
A guide to what’s in, what’s out, and why your friend’s loser boyfriend is her responsibility.
buff.ly
January 9, 2026 at 9:00 PM
Come work with us!
We’re #hiring two reporters in D.C.:

🗞️ A Loose Lips Reporter to lead our political coverage
📰 A news reporter to cover how the federal government impacts local politics and everyday life in D.C.

Share with a friend & learn more here:
Job Opportunities
Roles at Washington City Paper Washington City Paper is a trusted, quirky, investigative, comprehensive source of local news for people who make their lives in the District. Today the publication is t...
washingtoncitypaper.com
January 9, 2026 at 11:45 PM
Accusations are flying back and forth at the DC Housing Authority: contractual shenanigans, financial mismanagement, threats, and name calling.

The internal auditor was put on admin leave, and then promptly filed a whistleblower lawsuit.

Read about it:

washingtoncitypaper.com/article/7771...
Housing Authority Internal Auditor Put on Leave Amid Her Probe of Contracting Misconduct and Financial Mismanagement
Petuna Cooper alleges in a lawsuit that the agency’s leadership is retaliating against her while an internal memo alleges she has mistreated employees.
washingtoncitypaper.com
January 9, 2026 at 11:44 PM
Reposted by Mitch Ryals
Trump’s inaugural parade. The dismantling of BLM Plaza. No Kings and Free DC protests. Pride. National Guard deployment. The People Issue.

Revisit 2025 through @darrow-m.bsky.social’s lens:
2025 in Photos
Revisit 2025 through City Paper photographer Darrow Montgomery’s lens.
buff.ly
December 24, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Reposted by Mitch Ryals
A new D.C. Auditor report says that during his time as ANC 8C chair, Salim Adofo used ANC funds on headshots and event photos used in his campaign for D.C. Council. The auditor identified nearly $18K in questionable spending.

More on the report and Adofo’s response:
Salim Adofo Used ANC Funds for Political Purposes, D.C. Auditor Says
Adofo disagrees with the auditor's findings that as chair of ANC 8C, he spent thousands on professional headshots and other photos for use in his campaign.
washingtoncitypaper.com
December 17, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Gas bills going up!
D.C. residents will see their gas bill increase by roughly $11.24 per month starting Jan .1.

Washington Gas claims their modernization plan is necessary to improve safety and reliability. Critics say its a profit strategy with harmful climate and health risks. Full story:
Gas Rate Hike to Take Effect Jan. 1, 2026, As Part of Washington Gas’ Controversial Modernization Project
The Public Service Commission recently approved partial funding for Washington Gas Light Company’s accelerated pipeline plan, which the company says is intended to modernize the District’s natural gas...
washingtoncitypaper.com
December 18, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Reposted by Mitch Ryals
Husband-and-wife team Anthony and Candice Shuford are paying tribute to go-go culture with GoGo Puffs breakfast cereal.

“Ingredients are cinnamon, brown sugar, and go-go,” Candice says. More on the story behind GoGo Puffs:
Cuckoo for GoGo Puffs
Anthony and Candice Shuford spent the government shutdown making their cereal dreams a reality. The soon-to-launch Cinnamon Crankin' Crunch pays tribute to D.C.’s homegrown music.
buff.ly
December 16, 2025 at 5:29 PM
But in March of 2023, a male Camden employee sexually assaulted a female employee in an empty apartment. The man initiated the contact by first asking for a hug.

The women is suing the company, alleging Camden's "hug life" is to blame for the alleged attack

washingtoncitypaper.com/article/7757...
Property Management Company’s Workplace Hugging Policy To Blame for Sexual Assault in a Locked Suite, Lawsuit Alleges
Camden Development says its “hug life” policy is not to blame for one of its employees sexually assaulting another.
washingtoncitypaper.com
December 12, 2025 at 10:37 PM
Camden Development, which manages 2 buildings in DC, shows new employees orientation videos that promote a "hugging culture." One is titled "hug life."

“Hugging is simply a part of who we are,” one video says. "...And now that you’re part of the Camden Family, we look forward to hugging you too.”
December 12, 2025 at 10:37 PM
Reposted by Mitch Ryals
NEWS: At-Large Councilember Anita Bonds will try to delay ranked-choice voting's rollout at next Tuesday's D.C. Council session. She has an emergency bill that would push RCV to 2027, instead of it being used next year. She says there isn't enough time for outreach and education.
December 11, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Reposted by Mitch Ryals
NEW: Federal prosecutors have failed, for the second time, to re-indict Letitia James.

w/ @joshgerstein

www.politico.com/news/2025/12...
December 11, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Reposted by Mitch Ryals
A new lawsuit claims Bernstein Management Corporation charged hidden fees across 16 rent-stabilized apartment buildings to increase rates past legal limits. Here’s what we know:
Bernstein Management Corporation Charged Hidden AC Fees in Alleged Attempt to Increase Rates in Rent-Controlled Apartments, Lawsuit Claims
For years, BMC advertised units with “all utilities included” while allegedly forcing rent-controlled tenants to pay a mandatory AC fee, according to a lawsuit.
buff.ly
December 4, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Reposted by Mitch Ryals
Devin Denzel Davidson was just 3 when his father, Rare Essence drummer Quentin “Footz” Davidson, was killed.

Now, Footz’s legacy shapes Devin Denzel’s new album, The Test of Faith, with an unmistakable go-go feel. More on how he’s carrying go-go forward:
Rapper Devin Denzel Pays Homage to His Father and Go-Go With His Latest Album
Standing on his ancestor’s shoulders, the son of original Rare Essence drummer Quentin “Footz” Davidson wants to carry go-go into the future.
buff.ly
December 5, 2025 at 6:00 PM
And read the original report that sparked the IG investigation here:
Professional Development or Party? DOES Staff Event Featured Acrobats, Backyard Band, and DJ EZ Street
DOES refused to disclose the cost to hire entertainers and speakers for an all-staff professional development event held last month.
washingtoncitypaper.com
December 11, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Anyway, these all-staff parties are major undertakings. Event planning contracts for the past 3 years totaled nearly $550k, including tens of thousands of $ for bands, DJs, motivational speakers, audio/visual equipment, "entertainment services," and catering.

Read the OIG's full report here:
Expenditure Irregularities (Department of Employment Services) Redacted
www.documentcloud.org
December 11, 2025 at 6:54 PM
BUT! DOES is rejecting basically all of the OIG's findings, so it appears unlikely that any of the recommendations will be implemented.
December 11, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Donohoe actually donated THREE two-night stays at a Vegas hotel. One was raffled off, and the other two remain unaccounted for. Those are the questions DOES won't answer, and the OIG recommended the mayor's office step in to make sure there's no funny business.
December 11, 2025 at 6:54 PM
In a statement to me, DOES at first denied that any raffle giveaway occurred at all. Then, in a follow-up statement, a spokesperson said the donation and raffle followed guidance from their legal counsel (she couldn't provide the guidance to me).
December 11, 2025 at 6:54 PM
DOES also continues to avoid questions about gift certificates for Las Vegas hotel accommodations, which were donated to the agency by Donohoe Properties. (The agency's acceptance of the donation and its raffle giveaway to an employee also violated DC regs.) ...
December 11, 2025 at 6:54 PM
DOES Director Unique Morris-Hughes authorized $69k in questionable expenses for all-staff events dating back to 2022.

The event planning contracts alone totaled nearly $550k over three years. Read more here:
DOES Director Violated Several Spending Regulations for Staff Events With Go-Go Bands, DJs, and Acrobats, Inspector General Finds
Unique Morris-Hughes approved $69,000 in questionable expenses while certificates for Las Vegas hotel accommodations remain unaccounted for, the OIG found.
washingtoncitypaper.com
December 11, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Remember that @dcdoes.bsky.social professional development event that looked a lot more like a party (a go-go band, acrobats, DJ EZ Street as emcee)?

Some of the spending for that event (and others) violated local rules against using public funds for entertainment and food, according to the OIG.
December 11, 2025 at 6:54 PM