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Federal Prosecutors: Ex-Prince George's Co. Executive Deserves Long Sentence

WASHINGTON (WJZ)--Crooked politicians handed cash bribes. WJZ obtains the FBI video that exposed a public corruption scheme. 

Adam May has the latest evidence, now public, against a former Prince George's County executive.

The undercover FBI video reveals bribery in action. Thousands of dollars in cash was handed to Prince George's County Executive Jack Johnson. 

Federal prosecutors say he and his wife, former councilwoman Leslie Johnson, deserve significant sentences for their roles in one of the most egregious corruption cases in Maryland history.

New court papers submitted prior to sentencing state "under Jack Johnson's leadership, government in Prince George's County literally was for sale."

"I want to say to all the citizens of PG County, I'm very sorry," Jack Johnson said.

Jack Johnson faces 14 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes.

Leslie Johnson faces 18 months for trying to cover it up.

Moments before a FBI raid she's heard on wiretaps flushing a $100,000 check and hiding almost $80,000 in her underwear.

Leslie Johnson: "What do you want me to do with this money?  They are banging.  What do you want me to do?"

Jack Johnson: "Put it in your panties and walk out of the house."

Leslie Johnson: "No, but I mean all this cash, Jack.  I got the one from downst . . ."

Jack Johnson: "Put it in your panties, Leslie."

Leslie Johnson: "Oh my God, OK."

Jack Johnson: "Yeah, stuff it in your panties."

Prosecutors want this case to send a message.

"It's important to us to provide an appropriate penalty to the defendant and to provide an effective deterrent for others not to go down this road," said Rod Rosenstein, U.S. Attorney. 

Jack Johnson will be sentenced Dec 6; his wife on Dec 9.  

The couple also faces hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines.

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