Barry's longtime spokeswoman moves on

D.C. Council member Marion Barry (D-Ward 8) has lost his longtime spokeswoman, Natalie Williams.

Barry's office reports that Williams has decided to pursue other opportunities, a move partially brought on by the fact that Barry has less money to spend on staff because he is no longer a committee chairman.

Williams has been Barry's public face during his numerous court appearances or public relations crises in recent years. Last summer, for example, Williams would read Barry's statements as he responded to the drama involving him and his former girlfriend, Donna Watts-Brighthaupt.

Last month, the council voted to censure Barry and strip him of his committee chairmanship after an investigation that revealed that he personally benefited from a city contract he awarded to Watts-Brighthaupt. Barry lost a $350,000 staff allowance that each committee chairman is given. But he still has the $350,000 annual budget that each council member receives to staff their individual office.

By not being a committee chairman, however, Barry said in an interview that he has more time to ferret out fraud, waste and abuse in city government. Barry, who on Thursday took aim at council member David A. Catania (I-At Large), said he's going to being closely scrutinizing every city contract to make sure money is not being wasted.

As for his critics, Barry accused them of being "jealous" of him.

"You've got some people who are jealous of my ability to get stuff done," Barry said. "I am as strong in Ward 8 as ever."

-- Tim Craig