Alexandria City Councilman Abdel-Rahman Elnoubi has reimbursed the city $820.33 after using taxpayer funds to mail a letter to constituents that highlighted his accomplishments during his first six months in office.
The four-page letter, sent on official city letterhead, detailed Elnoubi’s role in various city initiatives, including student transportation improvements, budget passage, housing plans, and infrastructure projects. When questioned about the appropriateness of using public resources for communication, Elnoubi acknowledged potential concerns and stated that he had voluntarily repaid the city with a check.
“In an effort to keep constituents informed about city council updates, my office recently sent a letter using city letterhead,” Elnoubi said in a statement to ALXnow. “When made aware that the language may raise questions under city or state guidelines, I took that concern seriously and out of an abundance of caution, I promptly reimbursed the city in full for all associated costs.”
The letter, dated July 31, was printed on official City of Alexandria letterhead and included Elnoubi’s city contact information. While it focused on legitimate city business, much of the content emphasized Elnoubi’s personal involvement in various council accomplishments.
Legal and ethical considerations
Under Virginia Code § 18.2-112.1, the misuse of public assets becomes a Class 4 felony when the value exceeds $1,000 in any 12-month period. The statute defines “public assets” as property belonging to or paid for by any city, town or county, including employee labor paid for by the jurisdiction.
The reimbursed amount of $820.33 falls below the criminal threshold, but the issue raises questions under Alexandria’s Code of Ethics and Conduct, which requires council members to avoid “any improper use or influence of the office” and to act in a manner that “inspires public confidence.”
The city’s ethics code, adopted in 2016, also requires officials to avoid “even the appearance of a conflict of interest.” Alexandria maintains an Ethics and Fraud Hotline administered by the Office of Internal Audit to address concerns about the misuse of public resources.
The City of Alexandria has specific policies governing the use of its official seal, allowing council members to use it only for “non-political purposes” and prohibiting its use “on any election material of any type.” While Elnoubi’s letter did not include the city seal, it was produced on official letterhead with city contact information.
Elnoubi, who was elected to his first term in 2024, previously served on the Alexandria City School Board and other city boards. The letter described his work on initiatives including expanding DASH bus service, banning gas-powered leaf blowers, and supporting youth wellness programs.
The Virginia Conflict of Interest and Ethics Advisory Council, which provides guidance to local officials, encourages elected officials to consult with legal counsel when questions arise about the appropriate use of public resources.
Full text of Elnoubi’s letter to constituents
The following is the complete text of the four-page letter sent by Councilman Abdel-Rahman Elnoubi on City of Alexandria letterhead:
City of Alexandria, Virginia
301 King Street, Suite 2300
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Abdel Elnoubi
Councilman
Office: 703.746.4500
[email protected]
Thank you for being an essential part of electing Democrats like myself to serve our great city. The work you and every member of the Alexandria Democratic Committee do is the reason we continue to elect leaders who uphold the values we share and strengthen the community we all care about so deeply. As your elected representative, I carry your voices and the compassion that drives our work with me every day, and I remain committed to listening, learning, and delivering meaningful results for Alexandria.
As I complete my first six months in office, and as Council concludes the spring session and heads into the summer break, I wanted to take a moment to share some of the progress we have made together — progress that would not have been possible without your continued trust and support.
- Improving Student Transportation
In January, Vice Mayor Bagley and I proposed exploring the use of our free DASH bus system to transport ACPS high school students instead of the traditional yellow school bus. This would help address the school bus driver shortage, reduce traffic congestion and emissions, and allow ACPS to better allocate resources to younger students. The City Manager per Council’s direction came back in June with a proposal for implementing this idea. We look forward to further discussing it with our counterparts on the School Board and hearing feedback from the community before we make a decision. - Passing a Responsible Budget
Council worked to craft a budget that balances key priorities and long-term growth, and allows Alexandria to continue prospering and growing in the coming years. The budget reflects City Council’s priorities of addressing community disparities, supporting city employees, and strengthening Alexandria’s economy. It invests in community-based food hubs, early childhood programs, and expanded support for Neighborhood Health. The budget maintains current tax rates, provides increased support for Alexandria City Public Schools, and boosts DASH funding to meet rising operational costs. It also funds stormwater improvements, balances through cost-saving measures, and includes investments to improve infrastructure and support long-term capital projects. - Strengthening Our Local Economy
Council held an Economic Summit in May to discuss current trends in economic development and investment, and what that means for Alexandria. The summit was a major success, allowing us to create frameworks that strive to resolve key issues while strengthening economic growth. - Advancing the 2040 Housing Master Plan
We are undertaking an update to the HMP to shape the City’s housing principles, goals and work plan through 2040. These last few months, a variety of community meetings were held, with multilingual support, allowing us to engage and discuss key issues with all members of the community. When we come back in the fall, we will be further refining, finalizing the plan, and approving part 1: Plan principles, goals, and recommendations. - Protecting Student Journalism
When Theogony, Alexandria High School’s award-winning paper, faced potential censorship from the School Board, I spoke up and joined many voices calling to protect and support student voices. The School Board put the policy revisions on hold and scaled back some of the censorship measures. I’m proud to have helped protect their freedom of expression, and the fight isn’t over until the School Board abandons the censorship idea altogether. - Banning Gas Leaf Blowers
In May, Council passed an ordinance banning gas-powered leaf blowers by 2026, with an 18-month transition period. This move will reduce air and noise pollution and help Alexandria meet its environmental goals. - Expanding DASH Line 32
We’re improving Line 32 bus service by increasing frequency and expanding access in underserved areas on the West End. These upgrades support transportation equity and will serve thousands more riders annually. - Investing in Youth Wellness
We are funding additional therapeutic recreation specialists at two West End out-of-school sites to expand program capacity and provide much-needed support for children with special needs enrolled in these programs. - The View Senior Living
During the June public hearing, we approved a Development Special Use Permit (DSUP) for The View by Goodwin Living — a new senior housing project that will include a multi-unit residential building with 257 age-restricted units for independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing or memory care. - City Hall Renovation
Renovations to City Hall and Market Square are scheduled to begin in spring 2026 and will take about two years to complete. These value-driven investments are designed to benefit our community for decades to come. Key improvements include upgraded infrastructure, expanded community spaces, enhanced accessibility, increased sustainability, and a more beautiful, functional public space that reflects Alexandria’s unique character. These upgrades are also expected to generate utility savings and create new opportunities for revenue. - Living Room and Community Town Halls
I also began holding Living Room and Community Town Halls to connect with our community and talk about important Alexandria issues and share Council updates. If you are interested in hosting a town hall, just choose a location, invite your guests, and let our office know—we’ll take care of the rest. I look forward to hearing what matters most to you and our community.
Lastly, to keep you informed, I’ve sent a monthly newsletter recapping Council’s activity and key updates.
You can subscribe to receive the newsletter through this QR code
You can also read past newsletter editions through this QR code.
Thank you again for your trust and support. I’m honored to serve and excited for the work ahead as we build a stronger, more inclusive Alexandria together.
Sincerely,
Abdel Elnoubi
Alexandria City Councilman
[email protected]
Office: 703.746.4500
301 King Street, Suite 2300
Alexandria, VA 22314
