Admits to flushing check, stuffing cash down bra Prince George’s County Councilwoman Leslie Johnson pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of conspiracy to commit federal witness and evidence tampering, but gave no indication she will step down from her $96,417-a-year seat on the council.
Johnson, D-Mitchellville, was arrested with her husband, then- County Executive Jack Johnson, in November in an ongoing FBI investigation of pay-to-play schemes in Prince George’s County.
She admitted to refusing to answer the door to her Mitchellville home in November, when FBI and Internal Revenue Service agents with a federal search warrant knocked. At the instruction of her husband, Johnson flushed a $100,000 check down the toilet and stuffed $79,600 in her underwear and bra, according to U.S. attorneys.
“Leslie Johnson’s actions, which occurred after the November elections, violated the very essence of fairly representing her constituents who elected her to office,” said FBI Special Agent Richard McFeely.
Despite her admission of a federal felony for her role in her husband’s development scandal, Johnson would not comment on her future on the council and did not take questions after issuing a brief statement outside the U.S. District Courthouse in Greenbelt. Jack Johnson did not attend the hearing.
Johnson does not have to resign from the council until her Oct. 13 sentencing. She would earn about $28,000 of her $96,417 annual salary in the next 3 1/2 months.
“I made a mistake, and today I accept responsibility for my conduct,” Johnson said. “I only ask not to be defined by this mistake, but by the countless days and months and years I have devoted to serving our community and people. I look forward to continuing to serve.”
Johnson’s office even sent out invitations to a meet-and-greet for county officials and small-business owners on the eve of her plea hearing.
Local leaders, including County Executive Rushern Baker and Council Vice Chairman Eric Olson, called on Johnson to resign immediately, allowing the council to prepare for a special election to fill the seat.
“I believe the process of healing should not be delayed or deferred and it is in the best interest of Prince George’s County that Council Member Leslie Johnson resign from the County Council,” Baker said.
Johnson is not assigned to any council committees and was denied a privilege allowing council members to guide development deals through the zoning process.
“When the council stripped her of the ability to be in some of those briefings, that sealed her fate as far as I’m concerned,” said Upper Marlboro resident Robert Bowers. “We can start to clear the air.”
Those restrictions have cost Johnson’s constituents a strong voice on the council, residents said.
“We are taxpayers in one of the largest and most powerful districts, and they’ve ignored us,” said Sandy Pruitt, of Mitchellville.
Johnson’s plea carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, though attorneys recommended between 12 to 18 months. She also must forfeit the $79,600 that she hid in her underwear.
Jack Johnson pleaded guilty in May to one count of extortion and one county of evidence tampering, and faces up to 40 years in prison.
