D.C. unemployment official fired amid ongoing probes

An interim associate director of unemployment compensation, who campaigned for Mayor Vincent C. Gray, was fired Tuesday in connection with an ongoing investigation by the D.C. inspector general, city officials said.

Gaby L. Fraser, a politically connected Ward 8 activist and consultant, was earning more than $97,000 at the D.C. Department of Employment Services (DOES), according to city records. She had served as an associate unemployment director for about two months after joining the agency in 1997, officials said.

“When we learned that Gaby Fraser was under investigation by the inspector general, we launched our own internal investigation, which brought to our attention information that we forwarded to that office,” said David Thompson, a DOES spokesman. “As a result, Ms. Fraser has been terminated from DOES effective today.”

Mr. Thompson declined to elaborate on the investigations, or their timing in relation to Ms. Fraser’s appointment as an interim associate director, citing the ongoing nature of the two probes. But he said DOES is “looking at all programs and operational aspects of DOES to eliminate fraud, waste and abuse.”

He added: “DOES has received federal funding to assist in the elimination of fraud, and it is our goal to restore public trust and faith.”

The Washington Times reported Monday that Ms. Fraser had been placed on administrative leave. As of Tuesday afternoon, her voice-mail message at DOES still identified her as the agency’s “acting associate director of the office of unemployment compensation.” She could not be reached for comment.

(Corrected paragraph) Ms. Fraser ran for advisory neighborhood commissioner in Ward 8 in 2006 and was campaign consultant for 2010 mayoral candidate Leo Alexander, among other candidates for public office. She campaigned actively last year for Mr. Gray, who won Ward 8 handily.

Since 2002, she has received more than $40,000 in consulting fees from a variety of candidates, city records show.