Prince George's County Executive Aids Friends

Last year, the Maryland state prosecutor's office began investigating two county contracts totaling $200,000 awarded to Wilbert R. Wilson, Johnson's longtime friend and current campaign chairman. Maryland prosecutor Robert A. Rohrbaugh said the grand jury investigation is still underway, but prosecutors declined to discuss the case.

Wilson, 63, a former sixth-grade teacher who owns a consulting firm, was paid to "evaluate trends in regional, national and global economics." The contract, which ended 18 months ago, required a written report, but the county has no record of receiving one, according to County Attorney David Whitacre.

Wilson, who has contributed $4,245 to Johnson's campaigns, declined to comment and referred all questions to his attorney, Frederick D. Cooke Jr. Cooke said Wilson turned in a report, though he said he did not remember specifics. He declined to release a copy.

"He met with people; he traveled places," Cooke said. "He did the things one would expect someone to do to collect data for economic development."

Another contractor, Robert L. Thomas, a former director of investigations for the IRS, has also come under legal scrutiny. Thomas, 63, received a $70,500, six-month contract in June 2003 to provide financial planning and an "assessment of accounting practices," records show. On Dec. 22, two days after the contract ended, he was named deputy director of the Office of Central Services, which oversees the county's procurement and management of buildings and vehicles. Thomas, who resigned in April 2005, was indicted eight months later on bribery charges connected to the awarding of a county contract. He pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.

Johnson said in an interview that he did not approve the contract or appoint Thomas to Central Services. "I didn't know him," Johnson said.

Thomas, however, said it was Johnson who gave him the contract and named him to the job. But Thomas, citing the advice of his attorney, declined to discuss his relationship with Johnson.

In Prince George's, the power to award contracts rests with the county executive, not the county council, regardless of the cost. In the District, contracts worth $1 million or more must get D.C. Council approval. In Baltimore, a five-member committee, including the mayor and City Council president, approves contracts.

Most of the contracts that went to Johnson's supporters did not require competitive bidding under the county code, which exempts contracts that go to "experts or specialists."

The system leaves the county council essentially powerless over contracts. "The council has no say," said council member Samuel H. Dean (D-Mitchellville). "We don't see contracts; we don't see the results of those contracts. Contracts are handled by Jack Johnson."

Council Chairman Thomas E. Dernoga (D-Laurel) said council members rarely know in advance who is receiving contracts.

"It's definitely after the fact," Dernoga said. "It ultimately comes down to the county executive to explain what was done for the money."