Couple Connected To PG Co. Arrests

Hidden cash, bribes and corruption.  It sounds like a political thriller but it's playing out right now in Prince George's County.  Mike Hellgren explains the connection a Howard County couple has to the arrest of the Prince George's County Executive.

The indictments show how wide-ranging this investigation is now.  Government lawyers say that the connection involves bribery and they've got a lot of damaging evidence.  Most of it comes from wiretaps.

Federal authorities revealed new information about their indictment of Amreek and Ravinda Melhi.  The feds searched their mansion in Clarksville, where investigators said they found $400,000 in cash in a closet.

Both face conspiracy and extortion charges in connection with a corruption charge that has already led to the arrest of County Executive Jack Johnson and his wife. 

Relatives spoke about the Melhi's ordeal.

"She is my sister.  Of course it's difficult.  But no comment.  They are very hard-working people," said Melhi's sister.

The Melhis grew up in India and moved to the US years ago, building a small empire of businesses.

"As a human being, very good.  Honest and true," said Gobi Hemnani.

In Prince George's County, they own Tick Tock Liquors. 

"Johnson is the county executive and the Melhis are business people.  I think he knows quite a few of the business people," said the Melhi's lawyer, Gabriel Christian.

He went on to say the Melhis know Johnson personally.

"If what they said is true, it will obviously be problematic," Christian said.

A judge ordered Ravinda Melhi held Wednesday.  The federal government wants to confiscate millions of dollars in property from the couple.

Campaign finance records show the Melhi's company also contributed $1,500 to Rushern Baker, who will replace Johnson as county executive.