Should Jack Johnson Receive His Pension?
Former Prince George’s County executive still receives a $50,000 annual pension while in prison.
In this file photo, former Prince George's County Executive Jack Johnson addresses the press after his conviction, saying that he has sinned.
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Two weeks after former Prince George’s County Executive Jack Johnson began serving an 87-month prison sentence, he continues to draw a paycheck for work he did while in office.
A Prince George’s County spokesperson confirmed that Johnson, who last year pleaded guilty to conspiracy, extortion and witness evidence tampering charges, is receiving $50,000 annually from a pension fund.
Due to a loophole in state law, Johnson is set to receive the pension for life, according to reports.
Do you think Johnson should receive his pension? Should lawmakers do something to close the loophole? Let us know in the comments section below.
IT Fed
8:30 am on Friday, March 9, 2012
This isn't a situation of him committing 1 minor crime, he committed several crimes and his wife as well. He is corrupt and should not be rewarded for his crimes. The loophole should be closed so any past and future compensation he is owed is immediately forfeit.
Sharp Shooter
9:03 am on Friday, March 9, 2012
Of course not. The article actually answers the question with one word: loophole. I don't know what can be done to close and then retroactively enforce the loophole but that sure would be nice.
The man is a liar, a cheat, and a thief. Period.
pgcoresident
9:21 am on Friday, March 9, 2012
somehow the citizens of prince george's county are stuck paying a pension to a man who stole from us. Of course the loophole should be closed!!
Redd Topp
10:26 am on Friday, March 9, 2012
in one word: HELLNO!
Rose Woodruff
10:31 am on Friday, March 9, 2012
The law is the law and legally, although not ethically, he is entitled to it. I wish he had been fined enough to recoup the pension, but he wasn't. If he keeps the pension I think the bill that closes the loophole should have his name attached forever, like "The Jack Johnson Corruption Pension Denial Bill."
Mandy
12:40 pm on Friday, March 9, 2012
He is liable to pay the county back...if he continues to get his pension, he will just pay the county back with their own money. How is that fair?!?!?
If you are currupt and didn't do you job legally, you should get the rest of your compensation. Take the money and put it towards teachers and improve our county's educational system...
Jerry L Mckoy
2:41 pm on Friday, March 9, 2012
We all have done something at some point in our lives. Many of us have gotten by without being held accountable for our actions. This man has been prosecuted and stripped of all. He is now serving time for his crimes. He earned his pension. He is entitled to it. I say give it to him. Think about some of the things you've done in your life time that you should have served time for.
Peter Lewnes
2:53 pm on Friday, March 9, 2012
GET REAL! Just what did he DO? STEAL, LIE, CHEAT, ETC. Tell you what, go to work on Monday and ask your employer if YOU can do all the same and get a raise and keep YOUR job! Dont let the door hit you in the backside on the way out! Also, I bet you get more than just 87 months!
Hey Jerry, Maybe YOU have DONE things in YOUR life that YOU should have served time for but DO NOT include others who have NOT!
As for being stripped of ALL, I truely hope that he is getting just that from his cell mates in prision!
Pachacutec
3:03 pm on Friday, March 9, 2012
We are all entitled to our opinions, however; this guy is an out and out crook. I can't speak for others who post here, but whatever my sins and offenses may be, they do NOT include anything on this scale, certainly nothing I should've served time for. Too, I think since our politicians are elected to enforce and uphold the laws, they should be held MORE accountable than the rest of us. If it were up to me, this guy would serve a much longer sentence AND lose the pension. Sad to say, I'm betting he won't even do a third of the time to which he was sentenced.
Sharp Shooter
5:03 pm on Friday, March 9, 2012
Which part of word 'loophole' do you not understand? He doesn't deserve squat, he knows it, the local government knows it, the public knows it - but he will, most likely, be able to get way with it because of our spineless corrupt government.
Based on your logic I deserve to be a free man for escaping from jail through a hole in a fence.
Joshua Garner
5:31 pm on Friday, March 9, 2012
@SharpShooter
Interesting analogy. Is anyone willing to press their state elected officials to take action to close the loophole? Some municipalities have augmented their election laws to prohibit elected officials from being in office after a conviction.
RVN6768
8:17 am on Saturday, March 10, 2012
Right, but I wasn't working in the public's trust, like this low life. You want him to get his pension, then you can support him with your money. Wouldn't it be great if we all could designate whenere our tax money would go?
Dondon
10:04 pm on Friday, March 9, 2012
He does not deserve his pension however the State can not pass a law that will affect him but it can pass a law that will affect any future State employees that are convicted of crimes while in office.
patches
8:38 am on Saturday, March 10, 2012
His wife needs to be next. Slime bag crooks, They are worse the burglars, they were inside crooks. They owe us, the residents of PG county!
Pete G
11:17 am on Saturday, March 10, 2012
The money should go into the road fund from which he stole money.
James Birchfield
11:57 am on Saturday, March 10, 2012
Not just no....HELL no! If we continue to reward crooks in the county, where's the incentive for civil servants to be honest???
Tea L
1:24 pm on Saturday, March 10, 2012
I would like to hear what our currently elected officials are doing about this situation. This man continues to thumb his nose at us in prison. He and his wife are only sorry they got caught. It took the Feds to come in and clean house when so many people knew this man was corrupt. When is our county going to REALLY put the people first over officials selfish interests? Elected officials need to try to get something done here.
John R Robison
4:48 pm on Saturday, March 10, 2012
Pensions are a mater of federal law. As I understand it, once you are vested, you have the right to the money you have paid into the system. Since it came out of his legal paycheck, and the fund had use of the money he legally paid, he has a right to it. It's the same as if you were fired from your job: your pension is your money. I know it's galling, but it is part of the price of living in a nation of laws.
phyllis smotherson
11:57 pm on Saturday, March 10, 2012
We are so quick to curse people when they have done something wrong. Although we all have made mistakes, some more severe than others, God has found grace to forgive us. Mr. Johnson did "some good" for many years. He worked hard during that time and he should get his pension. To err is human but to forgive is divine. Phillybee
Pachacutec
10:39 am on Monday, March 12, 2012
Not to be impious, but if God wants to forgive Johnson, that's between the 2 of them. It makes me SO mad that Johnson is not only continuing to draw his paycheck while in jail, but stands to get a pension, too? What next, a huge cash award for services rendered? Wouldn't' surprise me a bit.
patches
9:37 am on Sunday, March 11, 2012
Are you kidding me! He stole more than he made in salary. Plus he was the worst States Attorney PG has ever seen. He couldn't convict a Jaywalker. Leave the inept 'Everyone wants to pick on me' criminal in jail along with his crooked has been 'Administrative Judge wife'. Give that man a break, NEVER! Nothing but a common criminal, both of them!
Kathie Peterson
9:25 am on Monday, March 12, 2012
Nope! He should not.
Sheri
10:34 am on Thursday, March 15, 2012
Don't law enforcement personnel risk losing their pensions if they are fired or commit illegal acts? Why is it different for politician public servants?
Remmy
4:51 pm on Sunday, March 18, 2012
Those of you in PG County do have issues - neither husband or wife should be entitled to pension or salary. Sadly, the public must teach right from wrong; they did not learn at home, church, or school. In Howard County we have a similar issue - an Assistant Teacher - stole credit cards and is receiving paid leave since January awaiting trial. Another Howard County issue is a computer repair expert - stole over $210,000.00 and is in jail - both of these individuals were hired by the School System and are government employees - They steal and we still continue to pay them. If I had done such horrible crimes - I would be in the pokey never to see light again, plus no pay - taxpayers throughout Maryland should be appalled over both situations - am sure there are more that may be uncovered. What happened to the vetting process (we would be able to screen out the criminals, prior to hire).