Plea Hearing for Leslie Johnson Next Week

A plea hearing for Prince George’s County Councilwoman Leslie Johnson is scheduled for Thursday morning in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt, Md.

Johnson is facing charges in connection with the corruption case in which her husband, former County Executive Jack Johnson, pleaded guilty in May. She’s expected to plead guilty to federal obstruction of justice charges, WTOP reported. She’s accused of witness and evidence tampering.

Leslie Johnson was arrested in November in an FBI raid of her home. Prosecutors said they caught her concealing bribes obtained by her husband. She is accused of stuffing $79,000 in her bra and flushing a $100,000 check down the toilet per her husband’s instructions over the phone.

The conversation was recorded by federal agents. "Whatta you want me to do with the check? You hear 'em banging?" Leslie Johnson can be heard asking, according to court documents. "Tear up the check ... Just tear it up," he replied.

The FBI said developers gave the bribes to Jack Johnson as part of a pay-to-play scheme.

Since her arrest, Leslie Johnson was sworn in as a new county council member, but she hasn’t been allowed to serve on committees while under federal investigation. If convicted of a felony, she will lose her seat on the council.

She was expected to enter a guilty plea on May 4 -- before her husband pleaded guilty -- but that hearing was canceled.

Jack Johnson is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 15. Federal guidelines call for a range of 11-13 years, according to prosecutors.


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