WASHINGTON — Prince George’s County officials have a split view on the future of county council member-elect Leslie Johnson. Some say she should resign following charges of corruption, while others argue she should endure until proven guilty.
Following her arrest last Friday with her husband, County Executive Jack Johnson, on charges of receiving bribes from developers in return for government contracts, some members of the county government have called for Johnson to resign before she is sworn in to the county council in early December.
“It would help save Prince George’s county from further embarrassment, further damage to our reputation,” Prince George’s County Council member-elect Mel Franklin said on WTOP’s Politics Program with Mark Plotkin Friday. Franklin hopes Leslie Johnson will not take her oath of office.
He described the perception that there is a culture of “pay to play” in the relationship between developers and the county government, and that last Friday’s arrest “allowed critics to say ‘I told you so.'”
“If Ms. Johnson cares about the county…I think she will do the right thing and not be sworn in,” said Del. Justin Ross, D-District 22, also on the Politics Program, mentioning that she has no legal obligation to do so.
“Just because she has the right to be sworn in doesn’t mean it’s the right thing to do.”
Ross added that a failure to act quickly to move beyond this incident will lead to a “missed opportunity” in the “great potential” of the county.
But others believe she should hold fast until there is a court ruling.
“Suppose she is 100 percent innocent – would you give up your job?” asked Maryland Del. Jay Walker, D-District 26, on the same program.
“I think that’s a personal decision she has to make.”
He admitted that perception of the Johnson accusations have damaged to the county, and added that her husband, Jack Johnson, should step down before his successor, Rushern Baker II, takes the reins in December.
“He (Johnson) is hindering Prince George’s County and is a distraction. He should tie up loose ends before inauguration and move on.”
Both Ross and Franklin agree.
“This is massive, not just a distraction, but it’s doing damage,” Franklin said.
It’s a widespread story, embarrassing “in every corner of the world.” he added.
The three also echoed a WTOP caller’s confusion about how Jack Johnson is able to supersede the county policy of mandatory suspension while under indictment.
WTOP’s Paul D. Shinkman contributed to this report.
(Copyright 2010 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)
