Thanks to OpenCdA commenter Justinian for the heads-up that former Prince George’s County, Maryland, county executive Jack Johnson has been sentenced to seven years in federal prison for his part in an extensive public corruption scheme.

The Washington Times reports that U.S. District Court Judge Peter J. Messitte summarized the severity of Johnson’s corruption thus:  “This was not a single act of bribery.  This was not a simple wrong turn. This was a deliberate march down a long path of kleptocracy.”

At his sentencing hearing, Johnson pleaded for mercy, citing a recent diagnosis of some form of Parkinsonism.

Johnson also cited a litany of the “good works” he had performed as the county’s prosecutor and county executive.   In response to this particular justification for mercy, Judge Messitte’s reply was right on the money:  “”If you’ve done them, good for you.  That’s what you were elected to do. You were not elected to line your pockets, you were not elected to corrupt the system the way you did.”

Judge Messitte’s response was concise and to the point.  It needs to be digested by public officials throughout the United States.  Working for your constituents, all of them and not just a select few, is what you were elected to do.  You were not elected to line your pockets, and you were not elected to corrupt the system for your own personal profit.

So long, Jack.