Michael G. Stevens, chief executive of the DC Marketing Center, which promotes economic development in the District, called it "a very smart move," adding, "Kelvin certainly knows the inner workings of the city and how to steer a retailer to the right people."
Robinson scheduled a meeting between Masten and council member Adrian M. Fenty (D-Ward 4) in late September, Fenty said. During the meeting, which Robinson attended, Masten expressed Wal-Mart's continued interest in the Washington market. Robinson "knows how to get on people's schedules," Fenty said.
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Metro Business: Coverage of Washington area businesses and the local economy.
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Robinson also attended a meeting with Masten and council member Jack Evans (D-Ward 2), according to one of Evans's aides.
But Robinson remains unpopular in some quarters of the city government, said council member Sharon Ambrose (D-Ward 6). Ambrose, who described herself as an ally of the mayor, said that as chief of staff, Robinson was "not effective in dealing with the council."
He "walled off the mayor" from the council, she said.
In February 2003, Robinson became the target of a federal investigation into whether he violated the Hatch Act. The U.S. Office of Special Counsel, which conducted the probe, charged Robinson in July 2004, shortly after he announced he would resign from the Williams administration.
The Hatch Act, which limits partisan political activity by government employees, prohibits solicitations of campaign contributions. An official at the Office of Special Counsel said Robinson is scheduled to appear before an administrative law judge on March 29.
If the judge finds that Robinson violated the Hatch Act, the official said, a notation would be placed in his city employment record. He could have been fired if he had remained a city employee.
Washington Post researcher Richard S. Drezen contributed to this report.
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