WASHINGTON (AP) — District of Columbia Mayor Vincent Gray says he has met crisis-communications expert Judy Smith but has not discussed his current problems with her.

Gray’s chief of staff met with Smith last month to seek her advice as the mayor weathers a federal investigation that has led to guilty pleas by three high-ranking campaign aides. One longtime friend of the mayor admitted last month that she facilitated a $650,000 shadow campaign to get him elected.

Smith is a prominent crisis-communications strategist whose past clients have included Monica Lewinsky, Michael Vick, Wesley Snipes and former Sen. Larry Craig of Idaho. The television drama series “Scandal” is based on her.

Gray told reporters Wednesday that he is “not working with Judy Smith.”

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