Do make sure to check out the Washington City Paper’s latest update on the Marion Barry girlfriend contract saga, which reveals that a previous paramour of Barry’s, Sharon Bowen (she’s the one who lives in Ohio), had a job arrangement with the Ward 8 Council member that was remarkably similar to the one that Donna Watts-Brighthaupt did.

Like Watts-Brighthaupt, Bowen was tasked to work in the area of poverty research. According to her personal-services contract with the District, Bowen was paid to “conceptualize, design, plan and execute” a poverty summit for the council’s housing and urban affairs committee, which Barry chairs.

Bowen was paid $5,000 per month for her services. Records indicate she was paid $50,000 total between June 2007 and April 2008. Watts-Brighthaupt made $15,000.

According to four sources with knowledge of the situation, Bowen was also Barry’s girlfriend at the time.

In an addendum to the story posted today on City Desk, Jason Cherkis also notes that it’s been difficult to determine exactly what work Bowen actually accomplished for Barry, but from what he’s been able to gather, it “feels like work you give an intern.” Or maybe even, say, some of those Summer Jobs corps kids who reportedly don’t have enough work to do?

This story kinda makes us wonder: in this down economy, are there any takers out there to be paid $50,000 to be Marion Barry’s girlfriend? We hear he’s newly single.