George County Ms

Residents and officials call for Johnson to resign

Lacking the power to remove Prince George's County Councilwoman Leslie Johnson from office, county officials have called on the embattled District 6 representative to vacate her seat before her October sentencing hearing.

Johnson (D-Dist. 6) of Mitchellville pleaded guilty Thursday to a felony charge of conspiracy to commit witness and evidence tampering in connection with a federal corruption investigation that also implicated her husband, former County Executive Jack B. Johnson (D). Jack Johnson pleaded guilty to one count of extortion and one count of evidence and witness tampering relating to allegations that he took bribes from developers to help them get federal grant money.

Leslie Johnson has a sentencing hearing scheduled for Oct. 13, and prosecutors said they will seek a sentence of 12 to 18 months in prison. According to the county charter, Johnson must step aside once her sentencing begins, but the County Council does not have the power to vote her out.

Maryland’s constitution declares that state, county or municipal elected officials in Maryland can be removed from office after they are convicted at sentencing, said Raquel Guillory, a spokeswoman for Gov. Martin O’Malley (D). It is then that the conviction becomes final.

County Councilman Eric Olson (D-Dist. 3) of College Park said Johnson stepping down would be cognizant of residents’ needs.

“I just think that it’s in the best interest of the county that we move forward from this and we get closure on this and have the next District 6 person get in office and up to speed as quickly as possible,” Olson said.

County Executive Rushern L. Baker III (D) personally asked Johnson to resign Thursday, but she declined, according to Baker spokesman Scott Peterson.

“It is my opinion that if Ms. Johnson resigned, the Prince George’s County Council’s summer recess could be utilized to prepare for the inevitable special election thus allowing the residents of the 6th District more immediate representation while minimizing the time that the seat would remain vacant,” Baker said in a statement.

County Councilman Mel Franklin (D-Dist. 9) of Upper Marlboro said in a statement Thursday evening that he wants Johnson to resign “rather than prolong the inevitable outcome to this tragic situation.”

“Such a step would allow the healing process to begin for the residents of Prince George's County and accelerate the restoration of full representation for the residents” of District 6, Franklin said.

George County mother, son arrested on meth-related charges ...

A mother and son were arrested on methamphetamine-related charges on Thursday, according to a news release from George County Sheriff Tony Keel.

Acting on a tip, sheriff's agents conducted a search on property in the 1100 block of U.S. 98 west in the Bexley community, Keel said.

The search led to the arrest of Belinda Fay Bodin, 61, and Craig Steven Bodin, 42, both of George County, Keel stated.

Agents recovered about 184 pseudoephedrine tablets and a bag of ammonium nitrate from the inside of a 2007 Cadillac Escalade.

The Bodins are charged with possession of precursor chemicals with intent to manufacture methamphetamine, he stated.

They appeared before a Justice Court Judge and received a bail of $20,000 each.

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