Donna Watts ! Marion Barry ! Donna Watts Brighthaupt

Washington -- District of Columbia Councilman Marion Barry found himself mired in more political, legal and personal drama Sunday after his arrest late Saturday on charges that he was stalking a female companion.

Barry's latest run-in with the law centers on his relationship with political consultant Donna Watts-Brighthaupt, who alleges that he continues to approach her even though they split up a few months ago.

Barry, Watts-Brighthaupt and police gave conflicting accounts of how the former mayor ended up in custody Saturday night after attending several Fourth of July functions.

U.S. Park Police arrested Barry about 8:45 p.m. in Anacostia Park after a woman flagged down an officer to report that a man in a nearby vehicle was "bothering her," police said.

Barry, 73, was charged with one count of "misdemeanor stalking," said Sgt. David Schlosser, a Park Police spokesman.

Barry, on probation for failing to pay his federal taxes, was released hours later and ordered to appear in court Thursday. Through a spokeswoman, Barry called the charges unfounded and asked prosecutors to drop them.

Watts-Brighthaupt said she didn't seek to have Barry arrested and did not report the encounter to police. Police pulled him over for a traffic violation, she said.

If convicted of the stalking charge, Barry could face a year in prison and a fine up to $500, according to police sources. Barry is to meet with reporters today.