DC Council Chairman Explains Home Repairs

WASHINGTON, DC (WUSA) -- DC Council Chairman Vincent Gray wants to be Mayor but he found himself having to explain some repairs on his home done by a long time friend and holder of several million dollars in DC Government contracts.

Gray told 9NEWS NOW that some minor repairs were done along with some architectural drawings for major renovation and he paid the $10,000 bill two weeks after he got it.

He says he knew the contractor for well over 15 years.

Gray strongly disputed a published newspaper report in the Washington Times that suggested the repairs were improper and paid for only after the newspaper started asking questions.

The Chairman on Wednesday was also explaining why he signed a letter along with Councilman Harry Thomas, asking the cable company Comcast for $20,000 to help pay for a DC Voting Rights Campaign during last year's Democratic Presidential Convention.

Gray says it was his understanding that the request was customary and he probably would not have done it if there was some question.

The DC Board of Elections and ethics uncovered the letter during a routine audit of the local democratic party's fund raising activities.