Yesterday, news broke that Federal lawmen are looking into the allegations surrounding Councilmember Marion Barry's contracts with former girlfriend Donna Watts-Brighthaupt as well as his guardianship over half a dozen nonprofits. While two of his associates---Brenda Richardson and Jackie Ward---have referred comment to their attorneys, we expected Barry to do something more media friendly.

In the aftermath of his stalking arrest, Barry's staff held press conference after press conference. They used the free media to bash the park police and declare Watts-Brighthaupt as unstable. [Watts-Brighthaupt denies the charge and even showed up at one press conference to shout down Barry spokesperson Natalie Williams].

So it would be reasonable to expect some kind of comment from Barry or his staff. Maybe even a late-night press conference perfectly timed for the 11 o'clock news.

Read More "Barry Camp Silent On Federal Probe" »

For the last few weeks, we've published stories on Councilmember Marion Barry's zany relationship with ex-girlfriend Donna Watts-Brighthaupt and his pressuring her to sign another problematic contract. We've also written two stories on the issues surrounding the nonprofits run out of his offices and staffed with ex-campaign workers. These stories did not seem to impact one Barry worker---Jackie Ward.

Ward stuck to a simple script: standing by her work and refusing to comment any further.

Ward is one of the lucky ones. She's pulling in $40,000 to head up an entity called Clean and Green Inc. She is also listed as an incorporator for the Ward 8 Education Council, and as a board member and incorporator for the Ward 8 Health Council. Ward's previously known experience: working on Barry's 2008 campaign.

This is what Ward said to us last week when we called seeking answers about her work. "I have no comment," she said. "My work is there. Everything I do is a matter of public record." She added that she stands by the work she refuses to comment on.

Read More "Another Barry Associate Has a Lawyer" »

Here's an undated poster of "District of Columbia Government Integrity Standards" signed by Marion Barry.

(click to enlarge)

Read More "Marion Barry’s Government Integrity Standards" »

So Marion Barry funneled hundreds of thousands of dollars to not-quite-organized non-profits. All the nonprofits were founded in his ward. Most of them operate out of his constituent services office on MLK Avenue. In this week's LL column, we probe further into how these non-profits came to exist.

Guess what? All the major players staffing the boards of these non-profits worked for Barry's re-election campaign last year either as paid staffers or volunteers. Clink on the link above to read the full column.

On June 30, Councilmember Marion Barry used his office to bounce his on-again-off-again girlfriend's ex-husband from the Wilson Building. At the time, he claimed that Delonta Brighthaupt had threatened him on the phone and in person.

Barry never got into detail with council staff. But it was enough for Brighthaupt to get barred that night from a Wilson Building event. At 10:30 that night, Barry left a voicemail on his ex-girlfriend's cellphone apologizing for his actions. He goes on to state that Delonta Brighthaupt was now free to go anywhere he wants.

This wasn't the end to this love-hate triangle between Barry, Donna Watts-Brighthaupt and Delonta Brighthaupt which we detail in this week's cover. On July 1, Barry wrote a letter to Donna apologizing further. Barry's staff provided the letter to Washington City Paper this week.

In the letter, Barry writes: "In an effort to resolve this situation in an amicable manner, I sincerely apologize to you, Brew and to Mr. Brighthaupt."

Full letter after the jump.

Read More "Marion Barry Apologized For Wilson Building Incident" »

You can call Councilmember Marion Barry a lot of things:  Civil Rights Leader, Mayor-for-Life, Addict, Male Slut. You can now add Incurable Optimist to the list. In his rocky relationship with Donna Watts-Brighthaupt, he endured one rejection after another. And the man kept coming back.

A Hotel spat in Denver where he threw her out of his room for refusing to give him a blowjob. A fight in Las Vegas. Pleadings over e-mail that involved a high-ranking staffer and public money.  Now we know there were plenty of intense moments closer to home between Barry, Donna, and Donna's ex-husband Delonta Brighthaupt.

In this week's cover, we detail the love triangle and pay particular attention to the councilmember using his office and authority in an attempt to get Delonta out of the picture.

Barry's move backfired. Within a few days, he would be arrested on stalking charges. The charges were later dismissed. But the police report surely shows a man in hot pursuit.

We'll post the police report tomorrow.

Key line: "In those instances where you call it 'trouble,' it’s been other people who have done that."

Election Night, 1994

Read More "Photos: Postcards From Home: Film and Paper Archive" »

A few hours ago, The Washington Post finally got around to addressing the latest matters concerning Councilmember Marion Barry's questionable use of contracts. Barry's camp has repeatedly stated that the hiring of his girlfriend Donna Watts-Brighthaupt was not illegal. This time, the Post gets Barry to brag that he'd do it all over again. Or do it all again with the next love interest. The Post writes:

"You all think it is inappropriate to hire a girlfriend. I don't think it is. In fact, there is no law against it," Barry told The Washington Post. When asked whether he would hire another woman he becomes romantically involved with, Barry said, "Unless the law changes, why not?

Maybe he wouldn't have done all of it over again, particularly the Denver hotel room drama. Maybe he wouldn't even have his camp constantly text and call Watts-Brighthaupt throughout this ordeal in an attempt to get her to recant or who knows what. Watts-Brighthaupt was never sure what his people wanted from her post-July 4. Maybe he wouldn't have insisted on labeling her "unstable" and giving her some kind of disorder.

Read More "Barry To Post: Nothing Illegal About Hiring Girlfriends" »

Dear Councilmember Barry,

Yesterday, in your unhinged letter to David Catania, you wrote, "For you to imply that the 'Clean and Sober' community investment is administered or supervised by myself or Brenda Richardson is a lie."

So are you calling Brenda Richardson a liar?

Read More "A Question for Marion Barry" »

Ward 8 Councilmember Marion Barry has written a letter to at-large colleague David A. Catania accusing him of a "personal vendetta" and saying he's "perplexed, appalled, hurt by your increasingly [sic] levels of disrespect."

That includes Catania's decision to walk out on Friday's press conference announcing an independent investigation of Barry's contract with Donna Watts-Brighthaupt after Barry used to opportunity to rail against Park Police. And also Catania's abortive investigation into what "essentially is a personnel matter" with a nonprofit he funded through an earmark.

Why such treatment? Instead of the race card, Barry pulls the gay card: "I attribute your latest actions to my 'no' vote on recognizing same sex marriages from other states."

Read More "Marion Barry Lashes Out at David Catania" »

This afternoon, LL and other reporters hoping to follow his Friday scoop showed up to a Wilson Building hearing room to hear testimony on grants earmarked last year by Ward 8 Councilmember Marion Barry.

We were all disappointed.

At-Large Councilmember David A. Catania, who called the hearing to examine the role of "fiscal agents" in administering Department of Health grants, read an opening statement then announced he was recessing the hearing.

Read More "Catania Abruptly Cancels Hearing on Barry Earmarks" »

Brenda Richardson, a key staffer in Councilmember Marion Barry's constituent services office, has hired prominent D.C. attorney A. Scott Bolden. Richardson, who is listed on Barry's Web site as his Deputy Chief of Staff for Community Engagement, was identified in a recent Washington City Paper story as a key player in Barry's efforts to control various nonprofit groups that received funding through D.C. Council earmarks.

When contacted on Friday evening, Richardson referred questions to Barry spokesperson Natalie Williams. This morning, Richardson wrote Washington City Paper:

"If you have any further question, please contact my lawyer, Scott Bolden at Reed Smith..."

When reached this morning, Bolden was in no mood for "further questions."

Read More "Barry Staffer Brenda Richardson Hires Attorney A. Scott Bolden" »

First, the retrocast: At last, a little bit of authentic summer weather for the region, though not quite as hot and humid as we've been trained to expect. Good old weather beat writer Martin Weil at the Washington Post is reporting that July thus far has been five degrees cooler than normal. We've already nailed this story, however---right here.

Read More "Fenty, Barry, Weymouth—All in Weekend in Review" »

Craigslist killed the value of alternative newspapers? Bah. Washington City Paper has never been pricier than in this ad:

washington, DC craigslist > northern virginia > for sale / wanted > collectibles

Marion Barry City Paper (Incredible Headline!) - $20 (Falls Church)

Love him or hate him, can you believe the incredible headline of the Washington City Paper? Surely one of the most outrageous pages of newsprint to come out the Washington D.C area.
May become a collectors item, they went fast from downtown newsracks, I was lucky enough to get three. Serious buyers only!

• Location: Falls Church
• it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

PostingID: 1265399825