Will Admitted Conspirator Leslie Johnson Resign From Prince George's County Council?

Less than a week after in a federal court, Leslie E. Johnson is due to appear Tuesday in her capacity as a Prince George's County Council member, as calls for her resignation increase.

Last week's council meeting was postponed due to a Maryland Municipal League conference in Ocean City. But council members, presumably including Johnson, are scheduled to return today with a full agenda that includes confirmation votes for several county agency heads.

An executive session is scheduled for Tuesday, but it's not known what will be discussed.

According to Maryland election law, Johnson will not be qualified to hold office once her sentence commences. Johnson is scheduled to be sentenced at 9:30 a.m. on Oct. 13. 

Johnson if she will step down immediately.

County Executive Rushern L. Baker and fellow council members have called for her so a special election can be held to fill her seat.

"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 6^th District more immediate representation while minimizing the time that the seat would remain vacant," Baker said in a news release.

Council Chairwoman Ingrid Turner (D) of Bowie said that Johnson's time to resign is looming.

“Johnson has pleaded guilty to a felony. After she has commenced her sentence, she will no longer be a qualified voter under Maryland election law and must then forfeit her office.”

Council members agreed it is time for Johnson to resign. 

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

Tom Dernoga, former council chairman, wrote in an e-mail to The Gazette that Johnson’s guilty plea was inevitable.

“If Ms. Johnson wants to move on beyond her ‘mistake’, she must step down immediately,” Dernoga wrote. “No public benefit, only personal benefit, can derive from Ms. Johnson holding on to the council seat. Failure to do so would demonstrate lack of remorse, which the judge should consider at sentencing.”

Johnson had her voting privileges for council subcommitees stripped when she entered office due to the charges against her. District 6 residents complained that they unfairly suffered from not being fully represented on the county council.

The district includes Capitol Heights, District Heights, Forestville, Kettering, Largo, Mitchellville, South Bowie and Upper Marlboro.

Lake Arbor resident Bill Fuller, 62, told The Gazette he wants Johnson to vacate her seat.

“It does taint her credibility and reputation, and being a public servant I think one needs to be way above those kinds of flaws and problems in their life," he said.

 She was also caught trying to stuff more than $79,000 in her bra and underwear as federal agents arrived at her home.

Her husband, former County Executive  related to the case.