The Prince George’s County Planning Board is expected to approve a request by Bowie businessman Patrick Ricker to subdivide a property despite his recently unsealed guilty plea, in which he admits bribing elected leaders and officials over the past decade to gain project approvals.

Planning board members voted 3-2 on June 2 to allow Ricker to subdivide 1.2 acres he owns on Middleton Lane in Camp Springs and build two additional houses on the land, planning officials said. The property currently has one home on it. To be finalized, the request must be approved in a second vote, which is scheduled for June 16. The second vote generally mirrors the first, officials said.

A planning board staff member declined to comment on reasons for the close vote. Board members were not available for comment.

Ricker, a longtime county developer, pleaded guilty in October 2009 to federal charges of conspiracy and tax evasion as part of a plea deal. His plea was kept sealed by the court until last month, when former County Executive Jack B. Johnson (D) pleaded guilty to extortion and evidence tampering charges as part of an extensive corruption investigation.

According to court records, Ricker helped supply Johnson and other unnamed lawmakers, officials and candidates with money, excessive campaign contributions and sexual services in exchange for help with real estate projects. Some of the schemes date back to 1997, according to the documents.

No sentencing has been scheduled for Ricker, who could not be reached for comment. Calls to his lawyer, Timothy Sullivan, also were not returned. Ricker could get up to seven years in prison under federal sentencing guidelines.

Residents who objected to the Ricker’s lot subdivision request said his history of bribing officials should give the county pause and spur a thorough review of his requests.

“The guy here has pled guilty,” said Eric Anderson, a Camp Springs resident who lives close to Ricker’s Camp Springs property. “Why should he be allowed to continue building?”

Andrea Davey, spokeswoman for the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, said Ricker’s application was received in March before his plea was made public. She said criminal backgrounds do not factor into the board’s decisions.

“Each case is considered on its own merits,” Davey said. “Mr. Ricker, as any property owner, has a right to do with their property what is acceptable under the law.”

Neighbors have objected to the subdivision since the new homes planned at the back of the Middleton Lane property are expected to face Middleton Court, which they say is already crowded. Anderson said there are currently about a dozen homes on the court, which spans slightly less than a mile.

“There’s no need for it to be put there,” said Anderson, adding that he feels the county gives more consideration to builders than neighbors.

“These guys have been making their beds for years to get stuff done,” he said. “How are county residents supposed to respond to this?”

dvalentine@gazette.net