Barry Violated Laws With Contract

WASHINGTON - Former federal prosecutor and George Washington University Law professor Paul Butler joined us with analysis.

An independent investigation has found that former D.C. Mayor Marion Barry violated conflict-of-interest laws when he awarded a contract to his then-girlfriend.

Lawyer Robert S. Bennett said in a report Tuesday that Barry, a D.C. Council member, forced the woman, Donna Watts-Brighthaupt, to turn over portions of the contract payments to him.

Watts-Brighthaupt was paid a total of $15,000. The report says Barry initially wanted to hire her for a project that council officials deemed too political. The contract was changed, but Bennett said Watts-Brighthaupt carried out the original proposal.

Bennett also said Barry tried to impede his investigation.

Barry says the council has no rules for earmark grants, so there's no way he could have violated them.