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.

District 6 includes Capitol Heights, District Heights, Forestville, Kettering, Largo, Mitchellville, South Bowie and Upper Marlboro.

County Councilman Obie Patterson (D-Dist. 8) of Fort Washington said he hadn't come to a decision on whether Johnson should remain on the council.

“I think when she sits down and digests what’s happened, and talked with her family members, she’ll make the right decision and do what’s in the best interest of the citizens of the county,” Patterson said.

Tom Dernoga, former chairman of the County Council, wrote in an email statement 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.”

Lake Arbor resident Bill Fuller, 62, said he wants to see Johnson vacate her seat.

“Stepping aside I think would also be the right thing to do, although I understand that her crime, or mistake as she calls it, may not have much to do with her duties specifically,” Fuller said. “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. I think the right thing would be for her to step down, the honorable thing for her to do would be to step down, although I don’t think she will.”

Beltsville resident Karen Coakley said she also wants Johnson to step down.

“If she doesn’t step down she’s showing her true colors, that she cares about me, myself and I at the county taxpayers’ expense,” said Beltsville resident Karen Coakley. “I’m appalled.”

An executive session has been scheduled for Tuesday’s County Council meeting, but council spokeswoman Karen Campbell could not provide details as to what would be discussed.

Staff writers Chidinma Okparanta, Erich Wagner and Daniel Valentine contributed to this report.

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