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Suha Atiyeh thought she was simply doing her job when she raised concerns about the company picked to help run a $57 million road reconstruction project in Northeast. Instead, she was fired for her trouble, according to a lawsuit she just filed against the city. It’s a tale as old as time in D.C. government.

Atiyeh, formerly a civil engineer in the District Department of Transportation, claims that her superiors moved to pick a specific engineering firm to manage the overhaul of a two-mile section of East Capitol Street SE despite her strenuous objections about its lack of qualifications. She alleges her DDOT bosses were overly friendly with executives at the company, Alabama-based Volkert, Inc., after previously working with them on other major projects in the city and seemed determined to award them the lucrative contract from the outset of the procurement process. When Atiyeh sounded the alarm, she claims she was sidelined from the project and abruptly fired last February.

An attorney representing Atiyeh, AJ Dhali, declined to discuss the case with Loose Lips and deferred to the claims in the lawsuit, which was filed last week in D.C. Superior Court. Atiyeh is asking for an unspecified amount of punitive damages, as well as compensation for any wages and benefits she lost over the course of the past year since her termination.

A DDOT spokesperson declined to comment, citing the pending litigation. A Volkert spokesperson didn’t respond to LL’s questions.

The East Capitol Street project at the heart of the case has been in the works since at least the fall of 2020, Atiyeh recounts in the suit, as District leaders sought to improve safety on a busy stretch of the road running roughly between the Benning Stoddert Recreation Center and the Capitol Heights Metro station on the Maryland border. But the city had trouble funding the work, and it petered out around mid-2021.

The project launched back into high gear when it earned some federal funding (Atiyeh claims she was instrumental in helping the city land the grant for the work). DDOT planned to add protected bike lanes, floating bus stops, and other traffic-calming measures as part of the project.

But things ran off the rails when it came time for DDOT to find a firm to design the new look for East Capitol Street. For all the details on Atiyeh’s allegations, and what it says about a culture of favoritism within the D.C. government, check out our full story online.

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

UDC President Maurice Edington wants to boost the local community college’s standing among other “state” schools and HBCUs. “I want people to understand that we’re trying to transform ourselves into a national leader,” he says. [Washingtonian]
The Federal Aviation Administration is reducing the amount of arrivals into National Airport, from 28 to 26 incoming planes per hour. Meanwhile, billionaire buffoon Elon Musk used his social media site to announce that DOGE will “make rapid safety upgrades to the air traffic control system,” instilling a sense of horror and anxiety in the air traveling public in the wake of one of the worst plane crashes in U.S. history. [Post, Reuters, Politico]
Four people were killed in D.C. on Tuesday, the deadliest single day so far in 2025. Among the victims were a 17-year-old in Southeast and a 61-year-old man, who was allegedly shot by his son, in front of his 2-year-old grandchild. “Daddy shot pop pop,” the child told police, according to an affidavit filed in D.C. Superior Court. The accused shooter, De’Angelo Goldston, told detectives he had smoked PCP and does not remember shooting his father. [Post]

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

Mayor Muriel Bowser announced Thursday that the new Southeast hospital will finally open its doors on April 15. The last workers at the United Medical Center, which the new Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center is meant to replace, have also received layoff notices ahead of the transition. [Post]
Two Republicans, Utah Sen. Mike Lee and Tennessee Rep. Andy Ogles, have teamed up to once again back a bill that would repeal Home Rule in D.C., naming it after Bowser herself. [WTOP, WJLA]
Opinions are mixed on a bill from Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto to ban cellphones in D.C. schools. Proponents argue that phones are a distraction that can harm students’ mental health; but some students and teachers believe that the devices are necessary for helping kids research important projects. [Informer]

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

Federal employees enjoyed $2 drinks at DC9 Thursday evening—the last day they were given to respond to President Donald Trump’s offer to quit but still get paid through September. (A federal judge paused the 11:59 p.m. deadline in order to hold a hearing on the buyout program Monday.) “I came here because it’s a collection of feds commiserating about collective disrespect,” said one worker. “If I have to pay $30 a drink, I would gladly do it to commiserate with these loyal, dedicated people.” [Post]
Makan and its sister basement sports bar, Thirsty Crow, are closing for good after this Sunday, Feb. 9. Owner and chef James Wozniuk says the trifecta of high rent, inflation, and crime in the Columbia Heights area are the causes of death. [Eater]
Alara, Fraiche, Elmina, and Life Alive Organic Cafe are the new D.C. restaurants that Post dining reporter Warren Rojas is excited about this month. [Post]