In a statement released late Monday, former Prince George's County Executive Jack B. Johnson (D) said that although he cannot address allegations that he accepted bribes from developers seeking help getting federal housing funds, he hopes residents will remember the gains that took place during his tenure.

"I have placed my trust in the hands of my lawyers, and until they and I are in court, I will have no further comment," Johnson, who was indicted Monday on eight charges, including extortion, conspiracy and bribery, said in the statement. "I would hope that the people of Prince George's County and elsewhere recognize the growth and progress that occurred during my administration."

Federal prosecutors plan to announce several more indictments related to the indictment Monday of Johnson on charges of bribery, extortion and conspiracy for allegedly using his office to solicit money in exchange for federal grants, appointments to offices and legislation.

"There are several related indictments that are currently pending," said Rod J. Rosenstein, U.S. attorney for the District of Maryland.

Johnson, a former state's attorney who served two terms as county executive, faces eight federal charges for allegedly taking more than $206,000 in payments in exchange for favors that included campaign donations for his wife, current Councilwoman Leslie E. Johnson (D-Dist. 6) of Mitchellville, and millions in federal grants to two unnamed developers who allegedly gave him thousands of dollars in 2009 and 2010.

At a County Council meeting Tuesday morning, Leslie Johnson declined to comment on the indictment.

In the charging documents, federal prosecutors allegedly recorded Jack Johnson promising favors and soliciting donations.

"I'm trying to line up some stuff for myself man, that's what I need," Johnson allegedly said in a conversation recorded May 1 and cited in the 31-page indictment.

Johnson could not be reached for comment.

The grand jury findings come two days before he was set to arrive in federal court on charges of witness and evidence tampering related to the overall case. Johnson was arrested Nov. 12 after federal agents allegedly recorded him talking to his wife about trying to "get rid of" a $100,000 check and $79,000 in cash located in their house.

According to the documents, the alleged conspiracy involved Johnson and James E. Johnson, the former director of the Prince George's County Department of Housing and Community Development, who is not named in the indictment. The two men allegedly helped arrange for millions of dollars in federal grants to be given to two unnamed developers through a federal grant program known as HOME Investor Partnerships program.

Only people who have been charged are named in the court documents, Rosenstein said, citing policy.

"We're not naming them for a reason," he said. "People might draw the wrong inference."

Another alleged benefactor was Amrik Singh Melhi of Clarksville, who owns a Langley Park liquor store and is currently facing separate federal charges for allegedly trafficking untaxed cigarettes and alcohol.

The dates that the alleged HOME grant benefits were given coincide with the tenure of James E. Johnson, a longtime friend of the executive.

James Johnson, who is not related to Jack Johnson, but also is originally from South Carolina, could not be reached for comment. In wiretaps, Jack Johnson allegedly told the unnamed director that their activities would pay for his retirement in their shared home state.

"Keep talking and things like that," Jack B. Johnson allegedly told the director in a July 29 conversation. "[In] two years you got a couple hundred thousand dollars, you know, cash, then you can go and ... you get your little retirement."

Payments through the county's HOME program allegedly included a June 28 grant of $1.3 million to an unnamed developer referred to in the indictment as "Developer B."

In January 2010, Johnson also allegedly used his influence to appoint an employee associated with "Developer A" to a job at Prince George's County Hospital Center in Cheverly, according to court papers.

Hospital President John A. O'Brien said Monday that he was looking into the allegation.

"Jack Johnson didn't direct me to hire anybody and I'm not aware of him directing anybody else, either," he said. "We're looking into this."

According to the indictment, Developer A gave Jack B. Johnson a total of $206,000 in payments from 2003 to 2010. James E. Johnson received $41,000 in payments from Developer B.

In other parts of the indictment, Johnson allegedly used his influence with Melhi to get campaign contributions for his wife's council campaign, and for another unnamed candidate.

"You gonna need some help on the council, alright?" Johnson allegedly told Melhi in a March 20 conversation, where he asked for the store owner to "pick up a few checks" for his wife's campaign.

Singh's company, Tick Tock Management, gave Johnson $1,500 that June, according to campaign finance records.

Melhi also was allegedly beneficial for "Candidate A," who benefitted from a March 5 fundraiser put on by Singh and members at Johnson's request, according to the documents.

"You gotta make him and the liquor dealers, they gonna give you a huge amount of money," Johnson allegedly told the unnamed candidate. "We gonna tap into that money."

Rosenstein would not say if the unnamed candidate currently holds office. Johnson was prevented by term limits from seeking re-election.

County Executive Rushern L. Baker III, who succeeded Johnson, did not return requests for comment.

"It is important to allow the judicial process to take place. It would be inappropriate for the Baker administration to comment or speculate on these proceedings," said Scott Peterson, Baker's press secretary. "The Baker administration is open and fully willing to cooperate with all authorities investigating any alleged wrongdoing within Prince George's County government."

Staff Writer Andrea Noble contributed to this report.

dvalentine@gazette.net