It's rare that a political scandal makes landfall in D.C. that doesn't find Marion Barry at the eye of the storm. Yet the former mayor and current city council member is always defiant in the face of his accusers and critics. The narrative is one that never ends. This week, an independent probe, authorized by D.C.'s city council, alleges that Barry violated conflict-of-interest laws by neglecting to disclose a personal relationship he had with Donna Watts-Brighthaupt, who received a $15,000 city contract from the councilman. This is the same woman who claimed Barry was stalking her last summer. Those charges, however, were subsequently dropped.

Unfortunately, for the former mayor, the ethics probe didn't stop with Watts-Brighthaupt. Independent investigator and D.C attorney Robert S. Bennett asserts that Barry funneled more than $8 million to friends and family through 41 different earmarks last year. Bennett has recommended that the council turn the matter over to the U.S. attorney's office for possible criminal corruption charges. The council has yet to state its intentions on whether it will do so.Barry, for his part, contends, "I'm no different than any other council member. I arranged to get the resources to uplift the people of Ward 8, to do anything I can to empower them." Barry goes on to say that council's rules on personal contract services are not explicitly written and, therefore, he can't be accused of violating laws that don't exist. Or, in other words, the city set him up.

People will say what they will about Barry. And much of it, both positive and negative, will be well-deserved. For many of his constituents in Ward 8, he continues to be their man -- warts and all, they won't let him fall. For others, his continued political existence antagonizes them to no end. Try as they may to topple the seemingly Teflon Don of D.C. politics, Barry always rises from the ashes. And, frankly, this latest set of allegations feels like child's play compared to what he has faced in the past. But, as always, time will tell and so will the voters.


If you're never seen HBO's documentary 'The Nine Lives of Marion Barry,' chances are you only know half the story. It's a must-see.