http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/24/AR2009092402637_pf.html
The indictment says federal agents tape-recorded a meeting between Loza and Individual Number 1 on June 19. In that meeting, the individual handed Loza a "Father's Day" present of an envelope containing $1,000 in cash, according to the indictment.
Individual Number 1 said the money was from him and another person, who apparently also works in the taxi industry.
"What do you want me to do?" Loza asked after receiving the cash, according to a transcript in the indictment. "What do you want me, I'll talk to [Graham]. And I can call you back later on."
Ten days later, the indictment alleges, Individual Number 1 met with Graham to discuss taxicab legislation with a hybrid car exemption. The council member "declared that he would introduce that legislation," the indictment says.
The next day, June 30, Graham introduced a bill that he has said was designed to limit the number of cab operators in the city because he feared the District was being overrun by taxis. The bill would create a medallion system, similar to those in New York and Boston, in which users would buy licenses to operate a taxi. Under the bill, which was co-sponsored by Muriel Bowser (D-Ward 4), operators of "low emissions," or hybrid, vehicles would get such medallions for free.
The indictment says federal agents tape-recorded a meeting between Loza and Individual Number 1 on June 19. In that meeting, the individual handed Loza a "Father's Day" present of an envelope containing $1,000 in cash, according to the indictment.
Individual Number 1 said the money was from him and another person, who apparently also works in the taxi industry.
"What do you want me to do?" Loza asked after receiving the cash, according to a transcript in the indictment. "What do you want me, I'll talk to [Graham]. And I can call you back later on."
Ten days later, the indictment alleges, Individual Number 1 met with Graham to discuss taxicab legislation with a hybrid car exemption. The council member "declared that he would introduce that legislation," the indictment says.
The next day, June 30, Graham introduced a bill that he has said was designed to limit the number of cab operators in the city because he feared the District was being overrun by taxis. The bill would create a medallion system, similar to those in New York and Boston, in which users would buy licenses to operate a taxi. Under the bill, which was co-sponsored by Muriel Bowser (D-Ward 4), operators of "low emissions," or hybrid, vehicles would get such medallions for free.
