Gazette.Net: Panel calls for Prince George's County watchdog to monitor illegal activity

A Prince George’s County study group this week called for its government to appoint an independent investigator to look into complaints of bribery, mismanagement and cronyism, as neighboring Montgomery County’s latest inspector general started up his duties.

“It won’t stop someone from acting wrongly, but it may uncover the truth sooner than later,” said William Missouri, a retired judge who served on the Accountability, Compliance and Integrity Advisory Board that recently presented its final report to County Executive Rushern L. Baker III (D).

Baker created the six-member panel when he took office in December to find ways to offset rampant corruption in the county government that has persisted for more than a decade. When Baker took office, former County Executive Jack B. Johnson (D) had just been arrested by federal agents for allegedly soliciting bribes from developers, and a continuing probe by the Department of Justice is expected to produce more arrests in association with the alleged conspiracy.