WASHINGTON – D.C. Councilmember Marion Barry certainly isn’t shy about making racial comments.
Earlier this year, Barry apologized for his remarks about “dirty” shops opened up by Asians, and then possibly offended Polish people during that apology.
The Washington City Paper reports that when Barry recently was asked who’s paying for the turkeys he’s handing out during his annual giveaway this year, the mayor-for-life said only “liberal white folks” are interested in rules related to such disclosures.
The City Paper notes that D.C. politicians are supposed to report acts like paying a constituent’s rent, but disclosing who pays for turkey donations appears to be optional.
Barry said he keeps the donors secret to protect them from the media. The Washington Examiner reports that Barry’s partners for the turkey giveaway include a company formerly run by Jeffrey Thompson, once the city’s largest contractor whose name has surfaced repeatedly in the federal investigation of Mayor Vincent Gray’s 2010 campaign.
Barry’s annual Thanksgiving turkey giveaway is Tuesday. He is giving away turkeys on a first-come, first-served basis. The event also features screenings for diabetes and HIV testing.
See more on the story from WJLA below:
The Associated Press contributed to this report. Follow WTOP on Twitter.
(Copyright 2012 by WTOP and The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
