Burtonsville Doctor Convicted of Jack Johnson Bribes to Serve 18 Months

A Laurel-based doctor convicted of bribing former Prince George's County Executive Jack Johnson was sentenced to 18 months in prison, the Republic reports. He will also pay $50,000 and forfeit $250,000, the website reported.

Dr. Mirza Hussain Baig, 68, of Burtonsville pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit extortion in connection with paying bribes to Jack Johnson and James Johnson, . He faced up to five years in prison for the crime. 

Baig, a physician who practices in Laurel, is president of Laurel Lakes Primary Care and a residential and commercial developer, according to the Washington Examiner. 

He gave Johnson thousands of dollars between 2006 and 2010, including a cashiers check for $50,000 that Johnson did not cash because he was afraid of getting caught, the Examiner reports. 

Baig said that he gave the former executive campaign contributions, money and other valuable things and received "millions of dollars in grants," county property and land, jobs for associates and permits, among other coups, in exchange, said the Examiner. 

Baig's attorney, Paul Kemp, told the Republic in an e-mail that he and his client felt the judge's sentence was fair.