Former Prince George’s County Executive Jack Johnson promised one businessman “help on the council” from his wife, Leslie, who was running for the County Council at the time, in return for money, according to a federal indictment handed down Monday. The 31-page indictment says Johnson worked hard to fundraise for his wife — who has since been elected — and promised favors in return.
“Hey look, also, I’m gonna come by, but I need you now, I, I need you to, ah, raise, ah, six thousand dollars for my wife,” Johnson last year told liquor store owner Amrik Singh Melhi, who has since been indicted on charges of distributing untaxed cigarettes and alcohol.
Johnson continued: “I just want you to go out and just pick up a few checks and … then, ah, you know, she, you gonna need some help on the council, all right?”
Leslie Johnson, who was elected to the District 6 council seat, is still on the council. She was arrested in November before taking office after the FBI recorded her and her husband discussing the case and plotting to destroy evidence linking them to bribes.
She has not been indicted; a judge extended the date of her preliminary hearing to March 16.
U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein declined to talk about the allegations surrounding her on Monday.
Shawn Wright, an attorney for Leslie Johnson, didn’t respond to a request for comment Monday.
| ‘Put it in your panties, Leslie’ |
| Telephone conversation between Jack and Leslie Johnson on Nov. 12, the day FBI agents raided the couple’s Mitchellville home. Federal authorities say they secretly recorded Jack Johnson and his wife plotting to flush a $100,000 check down the toilet and hide $79,600 in her bra. After she stuffed the money in her bra, the conversation continued, according to the FBI transcript: |
| Leslie Johnson: What do you want me to do with this money? They are banging? |
| Jack Johnson: Put … put … put … |
| Leslie Johnson: What do you want me to do with it? |
| Jack Johnson: … put it … put it in your panties and walk out of the house. |
| Leslie Johnson: No, but I mean all this cash, Jack. |
| Jack Johnson: Put it in your panties, Leslie. |
| Leslie Johnson: Oh my God. Okay. |
