A former Prince George’s County executive who pleaded guilty in a corruption scheme is asking a Maryland judge to set aside his conviction and sentence.
The Washington Post reports that 67-year-old Jack B. Johnson filed a motion in the U.S. District Court of Maryland, claiming that he has new evidence that uncovers law enforcement misconduct in connection with the case.
Johnson says DNA evidence suggests that law enforcement involved in prosecuting the case mailed him threatening messages.
Johnson pleaded guilty to extortion and witness and evidence tampering in 2011 in a corruption case. He says he would not have pleaded guilty if he had the evidence he has now.
Maryland U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein, whose office prosecuted Johnson, says Johnson’s motion is without merit.