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Leslie Johnson Sentenced to 12 Months for Role in Corruption Scandal

Former Prince George's County councilwoman Leslie Johnson received jail time for her role in her husband's political corruption case.

 

Update, 12:45 p.m.: Leslie Johnson sentenced to 12 months for evidence tampering in corruption investigation involving husband Jack Johnson. -- WTOP

Read more in The Washington Post.

Update, 12:30 p.m.: Leslie Johnson asks court for probation so she can earn the "community's forgiveness through service." -- WTOP tweet.

Update, 12:14 p.m.: From WUSA9: "'I'm extremely sorry for my actions in Nov and to the constituents who elected me to represent them in PG County," said Leslie Johnson.'"

Update, 12:04 p.m.: Leslie Johnson will take the stand after a 10-minute break, WUSA9 tweets.

Johnson's defense claims that she didn't know it was the FBI who came to her door back in November 2010. The defense also claims she didn't know where the cash in her house came from, as she and her husband, Jack B. Johnson, had separate bank accounts. -- Giles tweet.

Update, 11:22 a.m.: Tweet from Giles: "Leslie's Treasurer asked for advice from Jack Johnson's own campaign treasurer. Wanted campaign to be 'above reproach.'"

Update, 11:15 a.m.: Washington Examiner's Ben Giles tweets: "Defense: Leslie Johnson would have had to been a psychic to know what her husband was up to."

Defense calling witness to stand, WTOP tweets.

Update, 11:08 a.m.: WUSA9 tweets: "Prosecution asks that Leslie Johnson be sentenced to the high end of the federal guidelines and a fine of 30k"

"Defense:"Leslie Johnson respectfully requests a sentence of probation.""

Update, 10:53 a.m.: WUSA9 tweet: prosecution said 20 percent of Leslie Johnson's campaign funds came from "corrupt relationships of her husband, Jack'

Update, 10:43 a.m.: Prosecution calls Leslie Johnson's acts "cool and calculated acts of obstruction" an NBC4 correspondent's tweet states. From WTOP reporter Kate Ryan: "Prosecutors call it a "hard sell, if not an impossible sell" to claim Leslie Johnson she 'acted out of haste and love for her husband.'

Update, 10:34 a.m.: Johnson is seated at the defense table in the courtroom, a WTOP tweet states.

Update, 10:10 a.m.: Leslie Johnson arrived at federal court accompanied by her pastor, Rev. Jonathan Weaver, according to a tweet by Ovetta Wiggins of The Washington Post.

Former county councilwoman Leslie Johnson is scheduled for sentencing at 10:30 a.m. for her role in a political corruption scandal that has rocked the county since word broke about it in November 2010.

Johnson’s attorneys are expected to ask for probation or house arrest instead of jail time, according to a report by the Washington Examiner.

The Prince George’s County councilwoman from the sixth district was charged with conspiracy to commit witness and evidence tampering in the federal corruption scheme that her husband, former county executive Jack B. Johnson, was caught up in.

Jack Johnson on Tuesday was sentenced to 87 months in jail, three years supervised release and must also pay a $100,000 fine, $37,000 of which is due before he goes to the Butner Federal Correctional Complex on Feb. 3. In jail, Johnson must go through an alcohol treatment program.

Leslie Johnson, 59, on June 30 voluntarily agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit evidence and witness tampering. Johnson agreed to this plea agreement on March 24.

Also under plea agreement Johnson faces 12 to 18 months in jail and must forfeit the $79,600 that she tried to stuff in her underwear when federal investigators raided her home last November.

Stay with Patch for updates as news about Leslie Johnson's sentence breaks.

Related Topics: Corruption, Jack B. Johnson, Leslie Johnson, and Prince George's County

superrichard04

8:27 am on Friday, December 9, 2011

But she still needs to get some jail time.

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Sharp Shooter

8:53 am on Friday, December 9, 2011

What is sad? She as a person? The embarrassment that she and her husband have brought on the county? The embarrassment of the fact we, the citizen's of this county, actually elected her and husband with the known history? I wonder if she'll re-purpose Jack's cane.

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Danny

9:14 am on Friday, December 9, 2011

as embarrassing as it is that SOME of us PG county residents voted to re-elect jack johnson back in 2006, what's really disgraceful and shameful is that the foolish folks in one district -- fortunately nowhere near hyattsville -- elected his wife in 2010. let's hope that leslie johnson would not have been elected to county-wide office, given her family's well-earned reputation for inexcusably bad behavior.

Nick

9:48 am on Friday, December 9, 2011

I wonder what size underwear Leslie will get when she goes to lock-up...

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D. Mann

1:00 pm on Friday, December 9, 2011

IRT “Sad & Embarrassment” How much do we really KNOW about the ethics of ALL elected officials (be it your district or someone else’s; whether you voted for them or not)? We don’t! It’s not until a whistleblower sends up smoke signals which triggers an investigation that we then find out “what’s REALLY going on”. Yes, I am sad, embarrassed and just downright P.O’d with the shenanigans of Jack Johnson and his abuse of power yet I praise Leslie Johnson. Here is why: She is the epitome of woman that loved and supported her man unconditionally. A real “Stand by your man”, “Ride or Die Chick!” Yes, she needs to be held accountable for actions but I’m not mad about her action. She had choices yet she chose to support her man. That’s my kind of woman!

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Sam from Laurel

6:09 pm on Friday, December 9, 2011

D. Mann:” That’s my kind of woman!"...Huh? Everybody is entitled to their opinion, but I think this is a joke (I hope).

Michael B. Cron

4:37 pm on Friday, December 9, 2011

Just like her husband's sentencing, business as usual in Prince George's County. I would have gotten a stiffer sentence if I missed jury duty.

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Jacques Chevalier

9:50 am on Saturday, December 10, 2011

Pee Gee County Public Schools,other elected and ex-office holders are on the list to be arrested and I love it! Look forward to me at the trials laughing at them the same way they laughed at you and I when they stole our money. And for all 'those preachers' at Jack Johnson's sentencing you too should resign and be sentenced for promoting corruption by your mere presence and ignoring your masses who are not elitist. Shame on you for acceptance of theivery,adultery and blasphemy you too should return the money the unwise put in the thieves baskets on 'Any Given Sunday', AMEN?

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Sharp Shooter

3:40 pm on Monday, December 12, 2011

I like your line of thinking, sir. AMEN!

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Elda Cordone

10:11 am on Thursday, December 15, 2011

I agree wholeheartedly! All the money that Mr. and Mrs. Jackson stole from the county should be returned, including the money Mr. and Mrs. Jackson gave to their church.

Elda Cordone

10:04 am on Thursday, December 15, 2011

Merry Christmas to everyone, including Mr. and Mrs. Johnson. May their jail term serve them to truly ponder on their weaknesses which resulted in unlawful and shameful actions. May they realize that not only did they bring shame and embarrassment to themselves by such corruption and deception, but also to the citizens of the United States. The judge, in my opinion, was very lenient. The fact that Mr. Johnson first denied all allegations, then "cooperated" with authorities and plead guilty should have had no weight on the judge who sentenced him.

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