Leslie Johnson is barred from serving on committees. She flees reporters as they approach her. And her most famous — or infamous — quote is, “I have it in my bra.” But the five bizarre months that Johnson, 59, a Mitchellville Democrat, has served on the Prince George’s County Council may be coming to an end.
A plea hearing has been scheduled for Johnson on Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt for federal evidence-tampering charges, and the documents filed signal that she’s expected to reach a plea agreement with prosecutors.
The FBI arrested Johnson and her husband, then County Executive Jack Johnson, in November — after she was elected but before she was sworn in — when agents said they caught her trying to stuff $79,600 worth of bribes in her bra and underwear. The FBI wiretap transcript was damning.
“You want me to put it down the toilet?” she asked her husband, after he told her by phone to rip apart a $100,000 check.
The county charter would require Leslie Johnson to leave the council if she pleads guilty. Her critics say it is way past time for her to go.
“We really don’t have representation — or adequate representation — because of the fact she has been stripped of certain powers,” said Mark Polk of Bowie, who ran against her last year in the Democratic primary.
Johnson can vote on bills and attend meetings, but is not allowed to vote on decisions at the committee level.
Johnson, a former lawyer who brags in her district newsletter that she’s most proud of being a mother and grandmother, declined to comment for this article.
But in Upper Marlboro, even unlikely friends in County Executive Rushern Baker’s administration say she’s easy to work with, asks intelligent questions at meetings and puts on her best face at public events despite the embarrassment she’s going through.
Johnson, who makes $96,417 a year on the council, has spent much of her term cultivating a reputation of being responsive to residents, holding community events and forums, visiting elementary schools and giving out awards to students.
“I’ve been pleased with how she’s trying to connect with residents and listen to us,” said Sandy Pruitt, a constituent from Mitchellville.
But Pruitt says Johnson’s lack of a committee vote — especially on the panel that oversees development projects — has hurt the district.
Upper Marlboro resident Venus Bethea called Johnson a “lame duck council person” as no one expects her to stay in office much longer.
“I don’t see anything legislatively happening,” Bethea said, “which is what we need.”
Johnson’s legislative accomplishments are thin: She recently introduced a bill calling for a government-appointed mediator to help solve disputes between residents and homeowner associations, and she co-sponsored a resolution recognizing the 2011 Keep America Beautiful Great American Cleanup, for instance.
Several District 6 residents, including Polk and Bethea, are already jockeying to fill her spot if a special election is held. Others who may run include former candidate Derrick Davis of Mitchellville and former Councilman Sam Dean, who unsuccessfully ran for county executive last year.
