Mayor's chief of staff resigns

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D.C. Mayor Anthony A. Williams yesterday announced the resignation of Chief of Staff Kelvin J. Robinson, who is the target of a federal investigation into whether he violated the Hatch Act by asking city employees to contribute to the mayor's 2002 re-election campaign.

Mr. Robinson said he was quitting to take a private-sector job as president and chief executive officer of EmergeDC, a business and government relations firm with offices in the District and headquarters in his home state of Florida.

His resignation takes effect Aug. 1.

Mr. Williams yesterday named Alfreda Davis, the deputy chief of staff for community affairs, as his new chief of staff.

Mr. Robinson said the timing of his departure is not linked to the investigation by the U.S. Office of Special Counsel and did not express concern about the outcome.

"Quite frankly, that is the least of my concerns. It had no impact on my decision," he said at the mayor's weekly press briefing, where the resignation was announced.

"They're going to do what they're going to do, when they're going to do it," he said.

A spokeswoman for the special counsel said she would not comment on ongoing investigations and would not give a time frame for the completion of the probe.

Most members of the D.C. Council declined to comment about Mr. Robinson's possible motives for the resignation, but some commended him for a job well done as chief of staff.

"I appreciate Kelvin's contribution," said D.C. Council member Jim Graham, Ward 1 Democrat. He said any employment decisions related to administration's staff were solely the mayor's domain.