CODE 10: FLUSH THE CHECK AND HIDE THE MONEY IN YOUR UNDERWEAR

(AP) ANNAPOLIS, Md - Prince George's County's top official and his wife were accused Friday of tampering with evidence after agents tapping his cell phone heard him tell her to flush a $100,000 check from a developer down the toilet and hide nearly $80,000 cash in her underwear as FBI agents were at their door, according to an affidavit. The investigation related to allegations that some real estate developers in the county were bribing public officials in exchange for official acts favorable to certain developers and their companies. The Johnsons could be heard on the phone by FBI agents discussing how to get rid of evidence, after agents came knocking at their Mitchellville home on Friday, according to an affidavit from investigators. After Johnson told his wife, "Don't answer it," he instructed her over the phone to go upstairs to their bedroom and destroy the check, the affidavit said. "Tear it up! That is the only thing you have to do," Johnson told his wife, according to the affidavit. Leslie Johnson then could be heard asking her husband, "Do you want me to put it down the toilet?" The county executive responded, "Yes, flush that," according to the affidavit, which noted that monitoring agents heard a flushing sound in the background. Johnson then told his wife to put cash in her underwear, according to the affidavit. After FBI agents entered the home, they searched Leslie Johnson and recovered $79,600 from her underwear. The Johnsons were arrested at home and released later on personal recognizance. Jack Johnson was placed on home detention with electronic monitoring. They both face a maximum of 20 years in prison.