Prince George’s County Executive-elect Rushern Baker, who rode into office as a reformer of waste and abuse, tried Monday to convince disillusioned residents that his administration will be different from that of his predecessor — epitomized by County Executive Jack Johnson being led from his home in handcuffs.
“Despite recent events, these are not sad days,” Baker said, surrounded by newly elected local officials at the Prince George’s County Public Schools headquarters in Upper Marlboro. “Unfortunate, yes. But the alleged acts of a few in no way should deter the direction of all Prince Georgians ready and eager — in fact excited — to move this county from good to great.”
Just weeks before leaving office, Johnson faces charges of trying to conceal thousands of dollars in bribes from developers. Despite the allegations, he returned to work Monday.
Baker ran against Johnson for county executive twice, but lost both times. During those campaigns, Johnson was accused of cronyism, with special focus on lucrative contracts that he showered on close friends — and ultimately caught the attention of investigators.
Baker has vowed to create an inspector general’s office and crack down on excessive campaign contributions from developers.
But he also has faced questions of his own about misusing public money.
As The Washington Examiner first reported, Baker’s nonprofit, Community Teachers Institute Inc., spent more than four times as much on payroll, taxes and benefits than teachers and students in 2008 — including Baker’s $102,000 annual salary.
The numbers were revealed only after investigators were sent to the office of the Landover nonprofit.
In a robocall this summer to residents, Baker said he didn’t audit the organization’s finances because he wanted to devote the money to teachers instead.
But the group spent $96,866 on students and teachers in 2008, compared with $400,000 in payroll, taxes and benefits.
And the state requires nonprofits that receive in excess of $25,000 to report the funding annually to the public.
Between 2004 and 2008, the organization — which holds annual training programs to help teachers with inner-city youth — compiled a deficit of nearly $700,000.
Baker will take office on Dec. 6.
“Keep your head high,” he told residents, “so you can see further down the path to greatness. I assure you that your elected leaders remain on this path.”
