Leslie Johnson attended her first Prince George’s County Council meeting since federal prosecutors formally charged her with witness and evidence tampering.
But Johnson, 59, a Democrat council member from Mitchellville, had no desire to answer questions from the media about whether she plans to plead guilty, a step that appears likely. When the meeting was adjourned, Johnson immediately retreated to the council’s offices.
The criminal information charges filed by prosecutors againstJohnson Friday is often a legal step preceding a guilty plea.
Johnson further declined to comment through a spokesman. She has rarely talked with reporters since taking office.
Johnson was arrested in November — after she was elected to the seat but before she took office — following a FBI raid of her home. Prosecutors said they caught Leslie Johnson concealing bribes obtained by her husband, then-County Executive Jack Johnson by stuffing $79,600 in her bra and flushing a $100,000 check down the toilet.
A guilty plea to a felony would result in her being forced off the County Council.
