WCP: Inside the Barry Love Triangle

This week's Washington City Paper cover story. Including an excerpt below.



Did the Ward 8 councilmember offer his girlfriend's ex-husband money to go away?
By Jason CherkisPosted: July 22, 2009

On a mid-June evening, Delonta Brighthaupt found himself in a familiar role as caregiver to his ex-wife, Donna Watts-Brighthaupt, and her two children. Donna was suffering from cervical cancer and had started another round of chemotherapy; she was laid up in bed. Delonta stepped in and promised to cook everyone dinner at her Ridge Place SE home.

Delonta got started in the well-stocked kitchen, frying chicken, simmering his greens, and preparing mac and cheese—all family favorites. As he prepared the meal, Donna’s two children, Olivia and Briana hung out in the den.

Then Marion Barry showed up. The Ward 8 councilmember formerly dated Donna after she joined his primary campaign the previous summer. The two had broken up before his kidney transplant surgery in the spring. But Barry still came around.

Though Barry wasn’t invited or expected, he’d arrived at just the right time. There he was, hobbling through the front door, smelling Delonta’s cooking.

“What’s cooking?” Barry asked, Delonta remembers. “I can’t wait.”

Delonta recalls Barry kept repeating his request, turning it into a bit of a taunt.

“Delonta, is it ready yet?” Barry asked, in Delonta’s recollection. “Is it ready yet?”



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