District of Columbia Council member Marion Barry found himself mired in more political, legal and personal drama on Sunday after his arrest late Saturday on charges that he was stalking a female companion.
Barry's latest run-in with the law centres on his relationship with political consultant Donna Watts-Brighthaupt, who alleges he continues to approach her even though they split up a few months ago.
Barry, Watts-Brighthaupt and police gave conflicting accounts of how the former mayor ended up in police custody on Saturday night after attending several July 4 functions.
US Park Service Police arrested Barry, D-Ward 8, about 8.45pm in Anacostia Park after a woman flagged down an officer to report that a man in a nearby vehicle was "bothering her," police said.
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After interviewing Barry and Watts-Brighthaupt, Barry, 73, was charged with one count of "misdemeanour stalking," said Sergeant David Schlosser, a Park Police spokesman.
Barry, on probation for failing to pay his federal taxes, was released hours later and ordered to appear in court on Thursday.
Through a spokeswoman on Sunday, Barry called the charges unfounded and asked prosecutors to drop them. Natalie Williams, the spokeswoman, said Barry feels "betrayed" because of the emotional and financial support he has provided Watts-Brighthaupt, 40, over the years.
Williams said Barry and Watts-Brighthaupt met Saturday afternoon for lunch before Barry attended several Fourth of July events. On his way home, Williams said, Barry once again came into contact with Watts-Brighthaupt near the park after they saw each other's vehicles. "How are there charges of stalking when they had lunch earlier in the day?" Williams asked.
In an interview, Watts-Brighthaupt said she didn't seek to have Barry arrested and did not report the encounter to police. Police pulled over Barry for a traffic violation, she said.
But said she has "tons and tons of evidence to prove" Barry was stalking her in a way that was not life-threatening.
Barry's latest run-in with the law centres on his relationship with political consultant Donna Watts-Brighthaupt, who alleges he continues to approach her even though they split up a few months ago.
Barry, Watts-Brighthaupt and police gave conflicting accounts of how the former mayor ended up in police custody on Saturday night after attending several July 4 functions.
US Park Service Police arrested Barry, D-Ward 8, about 8.45pm in Anacostia Park after a woman flagged down an officer to report that a man in a nearby vehicle was "bothering her," police said.
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After interviewing Barry and Watts-Brighthaupt, Barry, 73, was charged with one count of "misdemeanour stalking," said Sergeant David Schlosser, a Park Police spokesman.
Barry, on probation for failing to pay his federal taxes, was released hours later and ordered to appear in court on Thursday.
Through a spokeswoman on Sunday, Barry called the charges unfounded and asked prosecutors to drop them. Natalie Williams, the spokeswoman, said Barry feels "betrayed" because of the emotional and financial support he has provided Watts-Brighthaupt, 40, over the years.
Williams said Barry and Watts-Brighthaupt met Saturday afternoon for lunch before Barry attended several Fourth of July events. On his way home, Williams said, Barry once again came into contact with Watts-Brighthaupt near the park after they saw each other's vehicles. "How are there charges of stalking when they had lunch earlier in the day?" Williams asked.
In an interview, Watts-Brighthaupt said she didn't seek to have Barry arrested and did not report the encounter to police. Police pulled over Barry for a traffic violation, she said.
But said she has "tons and tons of evidence to prove" Barry was stalking her in a way that was not life-threatening.
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