Barry Sentenced to Three Years of Probation

"This disease . . . it's tough. It's baffling. It's cunning," Barry said at the hearing, adding that most addicts relapse at some point during their recoveries.

He said he is trying to stay sober by avoiding contact with people who use drugs or alcohol, going to frequent recovery meetings and maintaining a strong belief in God.

Just as he has throughout his political career, Barry cast his struggle in religious terms.

"I am a Christian. I believe in forgiveness," he told Robinson, citing verses in the Book of Matthew in which Jesus tells Peter the importance of forgiveness. "So I ask forgiveness, from this court and from this community. . . . I ask the prayers of this court and of all the citizens."

Later, outside the courthouse, Barry told reporters that he had taken yet another drug test at the probation office just after the sentencing, saying he was confident that it would be negative as well.

"Through it all, I'm going to make it . . . and not let my personal demons conquer me," Barry said.

D.C. political leaders reacted somberly to news of Barry's sentence. Mayor Anthony A. Williams (D) "is concerned about council member Barry and hopes that his health improves," said spokesman Vince Morris.

Council Chairman Linda W. Cropp (D) said she was "glad that this matter is resolved so that Marion Barry can continue to concentrate on his duties to the citizens of Ward 8."

Barry was supposed to be sentenced last month, but that hearing was postponed because he had not filed paperwork with the court saying what taxes he owed or begun discussing repayment with the relevant authorities.

Yesterday, Assistant U.S. Attorney James W. Cooper said Barry had continued to drag his feet, waiting until Wednesday to contact the IRS about repayment.

"Mr. Barry has been, for lack of a better word, recalcitrant," Cooper said. "He has, through a long public career, not hesitated to impose taxes on hardworking people. . . . It frankly is an insult to those people that this sitting public official has behaved in the manner that he has."

But prosecutors stuck with their pledge, made as part of the plea deal, to take no position on Barry's request for probation. He could have faced 18 months behind bars. Prosecutors explained that Barry had so far fulfilled the letter of the deal, if not the spirit. Cooper simply asked Robinson to "ensure that Mr. Barry is held accountable."