Former Prince George’s County Council member Mel Franklin is talking about his new job for the first time since his release from jail earlier this year.
Franklin was in his fourth term on the council when he abruptly resigned shortly before he was charged with campaign finance violations last year. He later pleaded guilty and served time in an Anne Arundel County jail.
Shortly after his release, he was hired by his close friend and one-time colleague, At-Large Council member Calvin Hawkins, to serve as Hawkins’ chief of staff. It’s a hiring that has ignited controversy in the county, where even residents who believe in second chances question the hiring of someone who triggered an expensive special election following his resignation.
On Tuesday, Franklin had an answer for those who have criticized the use of taxpayer dollars for his second chance.
“I think public service usually is, and the question becomes, when you have so much that you’ve learned and that you have done in public service, do you quit because you messed up?” Franklin said. “Or you come back and you make up for it by doing even more and doing even better? I say the latter.”
Click here to read the rest of the article written John Domen by over at WTOP
