Marion Barry Off the Hook

Stalking charges dropped.

The Associated Press
WFLS News

Date published: 7/9/2009

WASHINGTON (AP) - Former D.C. Mayor Marion Barry's one-time companion is denying that she was awarded a city contract by Barry because of personal financial difficulties.

Barry's spokeswoman has said Barry, a D.C. Council member, gave Donna Watts-Brighthaupt a $60,000 contract because she was about to lose her home and car.

But Watts-Brighthaupt says that's not true. She says she was paid $15,000 for writing a proposal for a civic education program.

Watts-Brighthaupt's contract became the focus of attention after Barry was arrested Saturday for allegedly stalking her. Barry was driving behind another car carrying Watts-Brighthaupt and her ex-husband before he was pulled over by U.S. Park Police.

Watts-Brighthaupt says she never accused him of stalking. She says she did not flag police down and that they first pulled him over for a traffic violation.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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Date published: 7/9/2009