Posted on 03/09/2006 10:01:30 AM PST by wagglebee
Former District of Columbia Mayor Marion Barry was sentenced to three years probation Thursday in connection with charges that he failed to file federal or local tax returns for 2000.
Barry pleaded guilty last October under an agreement reached with federal prosecutors which required him to acknowledge his failure to file returns for the years 1999 through 2004.
Barry, 70, completed his fourth term as mayor in early 1999. While Barry has said he's unsure how much money he earned during the time period in question, he did not challenge claims by federal prosecutors that his income topped $534,000 during the five-year period.
"I take full responsibility," Barry told the judge while making a plea for leniency. He said at this point he has a negative net worth that is subject to a number of judgments, a reference to his outstanding legal problems.
U.S. Magistrate-Judge Deborah A. Robinson declined to fine Barry, noting that the outstanding taxes he has agreed to pay are substantial.
Barry owes $195,000 in federal taxes and $54,000 plus penalties and interest in D.C. taxes.
"It was a reality of not having money on the one hand, and constraints against taking gifts," said Barry's attorney, Fred D. Cooke Jr. Barry is currently represents Ward 8 on the City Council.
The former mayor apologized to the court, to the citizens of the District of Columbia and to the citizens of the United States, and admitted that he has been in recovery for substance abuse problems since Jan. 19, 1990, when he was videotaped smoking crack cocaine in a downtown hotel room during an FBI sting operation.
Several times since 1991, Barry has sought treatment or counseling for problems with prescription medications or other substances. But Barry said Thursday that 90 to 95 percent of the people in his position sometimes fall off the wagon.
B*&%# set me up!.........
So, he's announcing his candidacy for mayor again?
As Chris Rock said, Marion Barry has given kids a response to a parent asking "What kind of future do you think you can have if you do drugs?"...."I can be the Mayor!"
I bet he will claim all the tax money plus penalties and interest was stolen when he was mugged on the way to the mailbox.
Rhymes with witch.........
If I started in on the line of thought that struck me.......I'd be banned.
Of course, EVERYONE in this situation -- get "probation"...
< /sarcasm>
They should strip the worthless bastards of EVERYTHING he owns, down to his filthy underwear.
Not, it's the 8th Ward popularity boost.
Just wait until he gets back in front of a homeboy audience and see how long that spirit of contrition lasts. Maryum been doing this shukin' and jivin' his whole life! The homeys know it's all an act, but the liberal press buys it wholesale.
Drug dealer! I thought she was a prostitute!
Yeah he'll be crowing like a rooster about how he beat the rap
Dog bites man, crooked democRATs, sun rises in the east, breaking news, not.
She was both, apparently........
So, as a consequence of not filing any tax returns for five years he gets no fines or jail time...... but, the government did get an apology. Well, at least all those court costs and expenses weren't wasted.
This is the funniest thing I have read today:
I take full responsibility," Barry told the judge while making a plea for leniency.
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