Politics & Government

Prince George's Council In "Uncharted Territory" In Efforts To Oust Johnson

Embattled councilwoman sets July 31 deadline to vacate; officials say that's not soon enough.

Prince George's County Councilwoman Leslie E. Johnson's of July 31 is not soon enough for county officials.

Council members and County Executive Rushern L. Baker (D) Tuesday urged Johnson, who in a federal criminal case, to vacate her office immediately.

“The Prince George’s County Council, as a body, calls for the immediate resignation of Leslie Johnson,”  said Ingrid M. Turner (D-Dist. 4) during Tuesday's county council meeting.

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Turner said Johnson hand delivered her resignation before the council meeting. She left the council hearing during the Pledge of Allegiance, which opens the meeting.

Back in session this morning after a week-long break, the council quickly convened and entered an executive session for more than an hour to discuss the terms of Johnson's resignation while Johnson herself presumably left the building.

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Turner announced Johnson’s resignation to a packed room of residents, county officials and news media. The council immediately restricted all non-personnel funding to her office including the use of a county car and parking at the county administration building.

Johnson will also be required to turn over her county-issued cell phone and she will no longer have access to use or disperse grant expenditures or discretionary funding.

But the council has little authority to forcibly remove Johnson from office or halt her nearly $8,000 monthly salary. For example, Johnson can still attend council meetings and vote on legislation under Maryland election law until her sentence commences.

“We took many steps to encourage her to let the county heal, let the county go about their business," Turner said.

Turner said the council was in “uncharted territory” in its effort to remove Johnson from office.

“I’m hoping that Ms. Johnson had the opportunity to think over the weekend; had the opportunity to mull what happened on Thursday, had the opportunity to hear what many people had talked about,[what many]colleagues had written in the papers," she said, "and had the opportunity to reflect and come to the best decision for the citizens of Prince George’s County."

County Executive Rushern L. Baker (D) said there was nothing he could do to forcibly remove Johnson from office but he also urged her to vacate immediately.

“Council member Johnson has made the right decision to resign prior to her sentencing date in October. However, by waiting to the end of the month, she has effectively delayed the residents of District 6 of valuable time needed to fill the vacancy,” he said in a statement. “No delay is necessary; furthermore, it is crucial that a new council member be smoothly transitioned into the office as soon as possible. Therefore, I believe that council member Johnson should resign immediately.”

Johnson agreed to plead guilty last week to one count of conspiracy to commit evidence and witness tampering in a case involving her husband, former County Executive Jack Johnson, who pleaded guilty to conspiracy, extortion and witness and evidence tampering last month.

Leslie Johnson is scheduled to be sentenced at 9:30 a.m. on Oct. 13. Jack Johnson is scheduled to be sentenced the morning of Sept. 15.


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