WASHINGTON – The U.S. Housing and Urban Development wants Prince George’s County to pay back $1 million that was misspent.
The Washington Post reports that former county housing director James Johnson and former county executive Jack Johnson used HUD money to make deals and then take bribes. In exchange they approved development projects, i ncluding some that didn’t meet basic federal standards.
Current housing Director Eric Brown says the county intends to pay the money back.
“We can pay it back in non-federal funds or ask them at some future date to reduce our future grants,” Brown says.
Prince George’s is also seeking to recoup that $1 million from Kairos Development, the company hired to build affordable housing units in Temple Hills, Md.
It’s been over two years since Johnson was arrested for corruption and bribery. He’s now serving seven years in prison.
WTOP’s Veronica Robinson contributed to this report. Follow VRobWTOP and @WTOP on Twitter.
