D.C. Council member's chief arrested

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By Sarah Abruzzese

Federal authorities Thursday arrested the chief of staff to D.C. Council member Jim Graham and charged him with two counts of accepting bribes.

In an indictment unsealed Thursday, authorities say Ted Loza, 45, received cash payments on two separate occasions in exchange for agreeing to promote legislation favorable to the taxicab industry. Mr. Graham is chairman of the Committee on Public Works and Transportation, which oversees and regulates the city's taxicab commission.

Mr. Graham is not mentioned by name in the indictment.

The indictment says Mr. Loza received a cash payment of $1,000 on June 19 from a person with whom he spoke and that he promised to promote legislation and policies that the person wanted. On July 10, Mr. Loza met with the person again and had a similar conversation. At the time, Mr. Loza received an additional $500.

If convicted of the charges, Mr. Loza faces a maximum of 30 years in prison and a fine of $250,000 for each count.

Mr. Loza is expected to appear in U.S. District Court late Thursday afternoon.