WASHINGTON - Marion Barry's former girlfriend and now accuser crashed a news conference called by the councilman's spokeswoman late Tuesday night, shouting "That's not true!" when the spokeswoman described her as have psychiatric issues.

Barry's spokeswoman, Natalie Williams, called the 10:45 p.m. news conference to confirm that Marion Barry's office hired Donna Watts-Brighthaupt with taxpayer funds as a consultant while they were dating.

Watts-Brighthaupt was paid at least $15,000, and has a further $5,000 payment pending, according to the Washington Post, which first reported the story.

On Saturday, Watts-Brighthaupt accused Barry of stalking her after the two abandoned a planned trip to Rehoboth, Del., and returned to D.C.

Barry's office was put in the position Tuesday where it simultaneously defended Watts-Brighthaupt as qualified to take the job, but also said Barry hired her because she was unemployed and about to lose her home and car, and then said she was not credible because she suffers from psychological problems.

"...according to Ms. Watts herself, she is currently under the care of a local psychiatrist and has been diagnosed with compulsive behavior disorder and clinical depression," Williams claimed. "Ladies and gentlemen of the District of Columbia, Ms. Watts should not be believed. Her allegations against Mr. Barry are simply not true. They are lies."

It was during Williams' statement about the psychological disorder that Watts-Brighthaupt shouted, "That's not true!".

Watts-Brighthaupt then retreated to her vehicle, where she told ABC 7's Jennifer Donelan: "It looks like they are scared of something, aren't they? I haven't said anything -- they still gotta do this? I must be bad."

Watts-Brighthaupt then drove away.

Reporters seeking comment Wednesday found a sign that read "No Comment" on Watts-Brighthaupt's door.

 

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