Roberts Differentiates Between a Bra Heist and a Christmas Present

At Greenbelt City Council's last regular meeting, council member Rodney Roberts offered a motion to remove language in an ethics ordinance that, if it stood, would allow elected officials to receive gifts. Roberts motion thus called for a higher standard than the state's minimum requirement.

The discussion arose because of a new state law, drafted largely in response to county corruption. Greenbelt and other municipalities were charged with enacting ethics ordinances that either met with or exceeded state minimums.

Clarifying his position, Roberts said that he wasn’t talking about preventing council members' wives from giving them Christmas presents.

“I see a lot of people saying a lot of words, you know, and pretending that it's [the new state ethics ordinance] better. But in reality I don't see anything that’s been done that is going to change the equation in Prince George’s County or anywhere else, when it comes to the type ethical lapses and downright corruption that our county and our state is plagued with," Roberts added.

Council member Edward Putens then interjected a reference to Leslie Johnson, who was charged with hiding cash bribes in her bra and also plead guilty to destroying evidence. Her husband, former County Executive Jack Johnson, is awaiting sentencing for extortion, among other crimes.

Putens chuckled and stated, "There was a wife that was taking gifts."

Roberts interjected — "Well sticking $80,000 in your bra is a little bit different than your wife giving you a Christmas present.”

Patch published a story that includes multiple issues raised during the ethics debate as well as insight into the dynamics of Greenbelt City Council.