WASHINGTON - Some residents are questioning the Washington City Paper's decision to banner headline a lewd quote referencing Marion Barry's latest scandal on the this week's edition.

In the words of one woman shown the cover: "Oh my gosh! Wow!""

The cover features a picture of Marion Barry and his ex-companion, Donna Watts-Brighthaupt, with the headline, in quotation marks: "You Put Me Out in Denver Because I Wouldn't [expletive phrase deleted]".

The sub-headline reads: Marion Barry's twisted relationship with his latest accuser.

The headline quote refers to a taped conversation in which Watts-Brighthaupt accuses Barry of throwing her -- and her clothes -- out of a Denver hotel room when she refused to perform oral sex. It happened during the Democratic National Convention in Denver last year. Watts-Brighthaupt had to sleep in a rented car in the parking garage, the City Paper reported.

Barry has not responded to the allegation contained in the tape.

The City Paper's editor says it was Barry's actions, not the paper's, that led to the decision to print 72,000 copies of the paper with the graphic cover. Erik Wemple said he printed the story because the public has a right to know about a high-profile politician.

"We decided here that it was warranted and that what had gone on here was serious enough to merit this," Wemple said.

But many D.C. residents do not agree.

"I wouldn't say this is appropriate at all," said D.C. resident Mike Thomas.

One longtime Barry supporter lashed out the paper.

"This is a disgrace, and I want to know what the media in this town is going to do about it. This is a disgrace!" exclaimed Tisa Mitchell.

The paper admits it has received many complaints about the issue's cover, including some vendors who have asked to pull the tabloid. By all accounts, the copies of the free newspaper are disappearing quickly. 

Wemple says he stands by his decision to run the story, and the cover.

Barry himself declined to comment on the cover Thursday.

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