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FBI Wiretaps Of Jack Johnson's Bribery Cover-Up Attempt Made Public

UPPER MARLBORO, Md. (WJZ)—Revealing wiretaps. Evidence of corruption in Prince George's County becomes public. The wiretaps show how the former county executive and his wife tried hiding bribery money.

Adam May has the dramatic audio recordings.

On the wiretaps you hear a chaotic cover-up attempt: toilets flushing and windows breaking.

Former Prince George's County Executive Jack Johnson and his wife, Leslie, pleaded guilty of a public corruption scheme that ended with an FBI raid last November.

"I don't know who they are, and they're banging on the door," Leslie Jackson said.

Leslie Johnson called her husband as agents surrounded their home. The couple was in a panic over a $100,000 bribery check.

Jack: "Look under the box, and you'll see a check in there."
Leslie: "Yes, there's a check in there."
Leslie: "What do you want me to do with the check?  You hear 'em banging?"
Jack: "Tear up the check and um, um, um, tear it up."
Leslie: "They're saying FBI, Jack."
Jack: "Yeah, I know, I know.  That's why I'm telling you, Dr. Baig set me up."
Leslie: "You want me to put it down the toilet?"
Jack: "Yeah."
Leslie: "You want me to flush it?"
Jack: "Yeah, flush that."

The Johnsons also tried hiding $80,000 in cash.

Leslie: "What do you want me to do with this money? They are banging. What do you want me to do?"
Jack: "Put it in your panties and walk out of the house."
Leslie: "No, but I mean all this cash, Jack. I got the one from downst..."
Jack: "Put it in your panties, Leslie."
Leslie: "Oh my God, OK."
Jack: "Yeah, stuff it in your panties."

That didn't work.

Leslie: "What the hell is going on?"
Leslie: "You scare me."
Agent: "We're FBI. We're here to serve a search warrant."

The Johnsons will be sentenced next month. Jack Johnson faces up to 13 years in prison. Leslie faces a year and a half.

Jack Johnson admitted accepting $400,000 in bribes while in office.

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