D.C. Council Member Marion Barry benefited from city contract obtained for ex-girlfriend

Friday, February 19, 2010
D.C. Wire, Washington Post,

D.C. Council Member Marion Barry personally benefited from the contract he obtained for his former girlfriend and directed earmarks that "provided substantial financial benefits to some of his close friends and supports."

In July, after news surfaced that Barry had given Donna Watts-Brighthaupt a city contract, the council asked Bennett to investigate the matter and review the council process for distributing earmarks.

According to the Bennett Report, which was released this morning, Bennett concludes that Barry sought approval of Watts-Brighthaupt contract after he loaned her money to help her pay her bills. After Barry secured the contract for Watts-Brighthaupt, he then forced her to use her paycheck to repay him.

The Bennett report also looks into the 41 earmarks that Barry sponsored in fiscal year 2007, which totaled about $8.5 million.

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Posted by Editor on 02/19/10 at 07:27 AM • (0) Comments

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