D.C. Council members watered down their own earmark rules as they developed and ultimately approved the fiscal 2009 budget, creating a loophole that allowed six nonexistent nonprofits linked to Councilman Marion Barry to snag $450,000 in taxpayer funds.

The entities, tied to Barry’s office in published accounts, received $75,000 each through the 2009 Budget Support Act, which earned final approval in July 2008. But none of the organizations was incorporated until Oct. 29 — 28 days after the fiscal year began. It is unclear whether any operated before that date.