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Turns out, Mayor Muriel Bowser’s former top deputy John Falcicchio has been referred for criminal investigation related to his sexual misconduct with subordinate employees, according to the results of the independent probe released last week.

NBC Washington’s Mark Segraves was first to report the criminal referral.

The bombshell of a detail is tucked deep into the 117-page report, in a footnote, saying “Arnold & Porter referred this matter to the OIG because of possible criminal activity.” (The law firm conducted the investigation under the supervision of the D.C. Office of the Inspector General.)

The footnote refers to allegations from the second woman to accuse Falcicchio of sexual misconduct. A summary of a letter from the woman’s lawyers, sent to the Mayor’s Office of Legal Counsel on March 29, says that “throughout the course of her employment, Mr. Falcicchio wielded his authority as [the woman’s] direct supervisor to sexually assault, harass, and retaliate against her.” 

“The letter detailed the various sexual unwelcome advances and encounters [the woman] experienced from Mr. Falcicchio over several months in 2020,” the summary continues. “It also explained the health issues [the woman] continued to suffer because of these traumatic events.”

The letter accused Falcicchio of “common law sexual assault,” sexual harassment, and retaliation.

It’s unclear, however, where the criminal referral ended up and whether it has resulted in an investigation. Citing sources familiar with the investigation, Segraves reports that the OIG sent the matter elsewhere—likely to the U.S. Attorney’s Office or the Office of the Attorney General.

A spokesperson for the USAO says in an email to City Paper that the office does not confirm or deny the existence of an investigation. An OAG spokesperson similarly declined to comment or acknowledge the existence of any referral or investigation. City Paper reported in August that investigators with the OAG and FBI had started investigating Falcicchio for criminal charges.

If you’ve been living under a rock for the past year and somehow missed this sordid mess, catch up on the whole scandal with Loose Lips reporter Alex Koma’s previous coverage: 

• Woman Seeking Government Contracts Accuses Falcicchio of Sexual Harassment

• Emails Show Falcicchio Worked Until His Resignation, Despite Bowser Administration’s Claims

• Bowser Updates Her Sexual Harassment Policies to Address Gaps Exposed by Former Chief of Staff

• Falcicchio Is Looking to Mount a Private Sector Comeback Following his Sexual Harassment Scandal

—Mitch Ryals (tips? mryals@washingtoncitypaper.com)

• Since siblings Darinka and Nick Komljenovic bought their Petworth condo three years ago, the building has started to deteriorate, shaking “as if enduring its own private earthquake.” They’re now stuck there, despite inspectors who say it is unsafe to inhabit. Now they’re questioning whether the city agency responsible for overseeing building construction failed to do so. [Washingtonian]
• Washington Post newsletter chief Elana Zak told lower level editors not to promote a story about the paper’s new CEO Will Lewis and his previous alleged involvement in covering up a phone hacking scandal. Details of the scandal are coming to light in a court case in the UK, where Prince Harry and 40 other plaintiffs are accusing Lewis of the cover-up while he was an executive at Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. Lewis has denied wrongdoing and said that he was brought in after the phone hacking scandal to “put things right.” [Semafor]
• Earlier this week, we learned about the new professional women’s soccer team coming to D.C. Yesterday, DC Power Football Club announced that Angel Reese, the former University of Maryland basketball star—and this year’s seventh overall pick in the WNBA draft—is a founding owner of the USL Super League’s D.C. team. “I want to help grow women’s sports and elevate female athletes across the board,” Reese said in a statement. “We’re taking over, and I’m honored to be able to support Power FC and invest in women’s soccer in the DMV community.” [Informer]

By City Paper Staff (tips? editor@washingtoncitypaper.com)

• Red Grant says his campaign against At-Large Councilmember Robert White is “no laughing matter,” even though he has much more experience as a comedian than as a politician. Will his focus on style be enough to overwhelm White’s emphasis on substance? [Post]
• Mark Jordan, the city’s independent watchdog for its youth detention facilities, says overcrowding and staff shortages are only getting worse as violence and drug use continues to rise at the Youth Services Center. Mayor Bowser still plans to wind down Jordan’s office in the coming months, while Attorney General Brian Schwalb is hoping to keep it running permanently. [WJLA]
• FanDuel pulled in about $1.9 million in revenue in just its first month running the city’s sports betting operation. Its troubled predecessor, Gambet DC, earned the District just over $4 million across the better part of four years. [Axios]

By Alex Koma (tips? akoma@washingtoncitypaper.com)

Good Taste: Namak Brightens Adams Morgan With Persian, Greek, and Turkish Delights

The recently opened Namak in Adams Morgan takes its name from the Persian word for […]

• French food is having a local renaissance. From Georgetown to Union Market and all the way to Alexandria, here’s where you can enjoy pastries, burgers, and escargot. [Washingtonian]
• Edgewood is the next neighborhood to get a Trader Joe’s. The store coming to Monroe Street Market will be the sixth or seventh location in the D.C. area—depending on when the grocery chain opens in Friendship Heights. [Urban Turf]
• The blue crab population is down a bit from last year, but there’s little reason for alarm. Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources’ Michael Luisi tells Axios, “We have a healthy and stable population.” [Axios]