Former Prince George’s County officials Jack and Leslie Johnson have been sentenced, and both will be behind bars in a matter of months, but federal investigators aren’t done investigating corruption in the county. While the county’s elected officials have expressed hope that the sentencing of the Johnsons will mark an end to the cloud of corruption that has plagued Prince George’s for the last year, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is continuing to work with federal agencies in Prince George’s, officials said.
Efforts continue to convict other county officials and local residents who may have been a part of the pay-to-play schemes orchestrated by Jack Johnson, said U.S. Attorney Rod Rosenstein.
“This team of federal agents and prosecutors you see behind me is committed to find public corruption. This case doesn’t end our effort. There are still corrupt public officials out there, both in this case and in other cases,” he said.
“The investigation is ongoing.”
Leslie Johnson, the former county councilwoman, was sentenced to one year and one day in prison after pleading guilty to charges of conspiracy to commit witness and evidence tampering.
She admitted in June to flushing a $100,000 check — a bribe from a developer for her husband, former County Executive Jack Johnson — and stuffing $79,600 in her bra and panties in a last-ditch effort to evade the FBI investigators entering the couple’s Mitchellville home on Nov. 12, 2010.
Jack was sentenced Tuesday to more than seven years in prison for extorting as much as $1 million in bribes and crooked cash from county officials and developers during his eight years leading the county.
Newly elected Council Chairwoman Andrea Harrison, D-Bladensburg, said Friday that she hoped the county could finally move forward from the Johnson storyline.
“The sentencing of Jack and Leslie Johnson this week marks a significant step in the judicial process, and hopefully final resolution of this matter,” she said. “The Prince George’s County Council … remains focused on the work we were elected to do, serving the citizens of Prince George’s County.”
In a statement issued last week, County Executive Rushern Baker said officials have worked hard to restore Prince George’s image over the last year, while acknowledging the difficulties of governing in the wake of Jack Johnson’s corrupt dealings.
And until the U.S. Attorney’s Office closes its investigation in Prince George’s, his administration is committed to uncovering corruption, Baker said.
“Any future developments that arise from this case will be examined and investigated by the Prince George’s County government,” Baker said.”Yes we are moving forward, but I will not tolerate any person or entity slowing down our march to greatness.”
