D.C. Council member Marion Barry no longer has to worry about a stalking charge as federal prosecutors have decided not to pursue a case based on the July 4 incident at Anacostia Park.
As suspected by this blogger, lack of solid evidence combined with a story that has veered into low soap opera likely shied federal prosecutors away from pursuing the case. The aftermath for Barry though may not provide a return to peace and quiet.
Audio tapes surfaced Wednesday via the Washington City Paper that depicted Barry's active pursuit of his then-relationship with accuser Donna Watts-Brighthaupt in graphic and quite disturbing terms. (The City Paper's cover page headline is not printable here.)
More importantly, concerns have been raised over Barry's no-bid, taxpayer funded contractual deal with Watts-Brighthaupt made while they were still actively dating. Calls are already underway for a D.C. Council investigation of the arrangement. While Barry's conduct was clearly unethical, it isn't clear though that any formal ethics rules were violated.______________________Labels: crime, d.c. council, d.c. politics, donna watts-brighthaupt, marion barry, politics, stalking, washington d.c.
