Bowser agrees with FreshPAC's decision to shut down

WASHINGTON - District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser made her first public comments Friday about the disbanding of a political-action committee begun by her supporters.

FreshPAC, which was started earlier this year, was hit by accusations of pay-to-play politics. The committee quickly raised $340,000 and planned to use the money to help elect D.C. Council members who supported the Democratic mayor.

On Wednesday, FreshPAC treasurer Ben Soto released an email to The Associated Press that the committee had become a distraction to the mayor. He said it would be shut down and all contributions would be refunded.

"While I'm grateful for support from every corner of the city, I do agree that the FreshPac had become a distraction and I very much support their decision to move on," Bowser said during a conference call Friday.

Two donors to the committee are currently accompanying the mayor on a trade mission to China.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.