Marion Barry weighs in on Vincent Gray scandal

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former District of Columbia Mayor Marion Barry was re-elected despite a prison sentence for smoking crack cocaine.

But Barry says he's not sure about Mayor Vincent Gray's political future amid federal allegations that Gray knew about an illegal "shadow campaign."

Barry told The Associated Press in a telephone interview Friday that Gray's record in office has been drowned out by coverage of the allegations.

Prosecutors said Monday that Gray knew about a $668,000 slush fund that aided his 2010 campaign and was financed by businessman Jeffrey Thompson, who pleaded guilty to two conspiracy charges. Gray has denied the allegations and has not been charged with a crime.

Barry said in the three decades he's known Gray, the current mayor has "never been accused of impropriety of any kind."