Breaking News: Prosecutors Want Barry Jailed
Federal prosecutors this afternoon asked a federal judge to send D.C. Coucilmember Marion Barry (D-Ward 8) to jail for not filing his most recent tax returns.
By not filing his 2007 federal and D.C. tax returns on time, federal prosecutors alleged that Barry had violated the terms of his probation for previous tax offenses. Barry, who pleaded guilty in 2005 to not filing tax returns from 1999 through 2004, has not filed such documents for eight of the last nine years, prosecutors said.
"The defendant's conduct regarding tax year 2007 is indefensible," wrote Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Zeno. "It is not acceptable for any citizen to shirk a basic civil duty, let alone a former mayor and current city councilman who has been responsible in the past and continues to be responsible for spending public funds collected from District of Columbia taxpayers."
Barry's attorney, Frederick D. Cooke Jr., did not return a phone message left at his office this afternoon.
Del Quentin Wilber
By
Marcia Davis
|
February 9, 2009; 2:44 PM ET
Categories:
Crime and Public Safety
,
D.C. Council
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Posted by: philip_s | February 9, 2009 3:06 PM | Report abuse
CRACKHEAD STRIKES AGAIN!!!
Posted by: sps0618 | February 9, 2009 3:16 PM | Report abuse
Marion Barry is the best argument against D.C. having voting rights. Just watch, D.C. gets voting rights and the idiots there will vote Barry in as a congressman!
Posted by: sps0618 | February 9, 2009 3:18 PM | Report abuse
Give Barry the same punishment they gave capital hill staffers who failed to pay taxes. Give him a raise.
Posted by: concernedaboutdc | February 9, 2009 3:20 PM | Report abuse
Marion Barry is, and for a long time has been, a very poor role model for young people. When our youth see that use of illegal drugs and being a tax scofflaw are things which Barry repeatedly gets away with, how can we expect them to conclude that obedience to the law is essential?
Posted by: jrsposter | February 9, 2009 3:21 PM | Report abuse
give him representation in congress, then have him pay his taxes. sometimes the answer is in the constitution.
Posted by: bevan_w | February 9, 2009 3:21 PM | Report abuse
We're not all idiots sps0618, watch your tone. Marion Barry is a buffoon and should have been jailed last time.
Posted by: dcdim | February 9, 2009 3:24 PM | Report abuse
DCWatcher3 wrote:
Mr. Barry,it's time to be a man. Teach our youths of DC a lesson that only you can teach them,turn yourself in and go directly to jail!
Posted by: DCWatcher3 | February 9, 2009 10:55 PM | Report abuse
The comments to this entry are closed.
I hope he does have to serve, even if overnight. Icing on the cake would be finding out that he was owed money back for 2007! A normal citizen would be jailed; he should not be exempt.