7 months ago
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Federal prosecutors have dropped charges against former D.C. Mayor Marion Barry, who was accused of stalking his ex-girlfriend.
U.S. Park Police arrested Barry on Saturday for allegedly stalking Donna Watts-Brighthaupt. His lawyer has said the two were on their way to Rehoboth Beach, Del., for an Independence Day party when they stopped for a meal in Annapolis, Md. The lawyer said Watts-Brighthaupt then changed her mind about the trip, and they returned to Washington.
The U.S. Attorney's Office said Wednesday that it would not pursue formal stalking charges against Barry. Prosecutors said in a statement that they reviewed evidence and other factors, including the "elements of the offense and the strengths and weaknesses of the evidence."
This comes on the heels of the discovery of explosive audio tapes that have surfaced detailing a nearly year long relationship that involved sex, a city contract and threats.
In one of the messages released by the Washington City Paper, Barry tells Donna Watts Brighthaupt, "let me just say I'm addicted to you."
He also talks about signing a contract to hire her to help her out financially. And he claims her ex-husband is threatening him.
There is one recorded confrontation between the two. Brighthaupt says Barry sent her to Denver on what she considered a less than plum assignment because she wouldn't perform a sex act on him.
Brighthaupt did eventually get a better assignment--a contract with the city for consulting work. Documents show she received nearly $20,000 for the work over several months.
On one of the recorded voice mail messages, Barry tells Brighthaupt he'd like to apologize and settle the matter.
A Spokesman for Marion Barry released the following statement about the tape's release:
"Any consensual, sexual relationship that Mr. Barry and Ms. Watts had is a personal and private matter between two adults.
If Ms. Watts felt at all threatened by Mr. Barry she should have addressed it at that time. The content of these tapes have absolutely nothing to do with the arrest of Mr. Barry on July 4th and under no circumstances incriminates Mr. Barry of any crime.
Instead, the release of the tapes does nothing more than show the true mindset and character of his accuser."
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