was convicted of three counts of violating the Hobbs Act, the federal law prohibiting public officials from using their office to extort money. After serving 9 months, he completed a 4-month halfway house program in 2001. in 2002, Johnson was hired as an assistant to then Mayor Jane Campbell. He was promoted to the Mayor's Cabinet a year later as Director of the Department of Community Relations. During his years as director, Johnson was responsible for overseeing the city's police and community outreach initiative, mediation of neighborhood disputes, and implementation of the city's Fair Housing program. He was recognized by community groups for his leadership. After Mayor Campbell's election loss in 2005, Johnson started his company, Prime Strategy Group, a political consultant firm. In 2008, after citing his successful post-conviction career, he received from the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas an expungement that sealed his record. In 2008, the Ohio Supreme Court unanimously reinstated his law license. Return to Cleveland City Council Johnson became a candidate for the Cleveland Ward 8 City Council position in 2009, and was elected in November of that year. In 2013, he won again after being forced to seek reelection in a new redistricted Ward 10 after his previous ward was removed. 2017 Cleveland mayoral campaign The Plain Dealer reported on January 16, 2017, that Johnson, in an interview, planned to run for Mayor of Cleveland. He made a formal announcement the next day. In the Nonpartisan blanket primary, Johnson placed third out of 11 candidates. After losing the election, Johnson became the Chief Housing Specialist at the Cleveland Housing Court. 2021 Ohio's 11th congressional district special election After Marcia Fudge was selected as Biden's nomination for Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Johnson announced his candidacy for the special election to succeed her. Personal life Johnson married his wife, Felicia, in 2015. He is a step-father to her two daughters from a previous marriage. In 2017, Felicia and her two daughters moved to the East Side of Cleveland. On January 12, 2021, a dissolution of the marriage was granted by Judge Diane M. Palos of the Cuyahoga County Domestic Relations Court. References External links Campaign website |- |- |- Living people Cleveland City Council members Democratic Party Ohio state senators African-American state legislators in Ohio Politicians convicted of extortion under color of official right Ohio politicians convicted of crimes 21st-century American politicians Kent