WASHINGTON — A former top D.C. official avoided prison Tuesday and will instead serve a lengthy period of probation, including 16 weekends in jail, for accepting $10,000 in cash to steer millions in government grants to an associate.

Dana McDaniel , 43, pleaded guilty in March to taking a bribe while she was serving as deputy director of the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement. The office manages services for at-risk individuals and oversees a program that partners with violence interrupters in high-conflict neighborhoods.

As part of her plea deal, McDaniel agreed she used her position to steer violence intervention grants worth up to $5.1 million to two companies operated by a confidential human source (CHS). Federal prosecutors said in court Tuesday McDaniel’s payout was supp

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