Investigation Finds No Ethical Misconduct in D.C. Poker Push

After an investigation by the Washington, D.C. inspector general, it was found that there was insufficient evidence to suggest that city council members were guilty of ethical misconduct in connection to the approval of online poker legislation in December 2010. 

The bill, which made D.C. the first jurisdiction in the United States to legalize online poker, was passed along with a new lottery contract that would govern how the city's lottery system would govern the city-wide poker site. Both aspects of the online poker approval were included in a year-end omnibus spending bill for the city, which resulted in the online poker provisions passing without much discussion or public comment.

The online poker regulations were the brainchild of D.C. City Council Member Michael Brown. Some suggested that Brown may have taken money from the gaming industry -- he worked at a law firm that did business with clients in the gambling sector -- in order to secure his support for the measure.

However, the investigation found no evidence to suggest this was the case. In addition, there was insufficient evidence to accuse Brown of any improper conduct.

While the bill made D.C. the first area in the United States to legalize online poker, the city has not taken the expected steps towards offering real money play. At the moment, plans to develop the poker system are on hold pending a January 26 meeting on the issue. At that meeting, legislators will discuss whether the plan will be repealed, or if the city should go forward with the online poker plan.