Disgraced ex-senator Bert Johnson learns legal fate Thursday

(WJK) - A once-promising political career comes to an end Thursday for Bert Johnson.

Blame it on bad debts -- and even worse decisions. Problem Solver M.L. Elrick was the first to report on Johnson's problems with money. The former state senator who once aspired to congress now could be headed to prison.

Johnson's plea deal calls for a sentenced of six to 12 months his attorney is hoping the judge will allow him to do whatever time he gets under house arrest.

"Bert Johnson pays his bills," Johnson once said.

That was Bert Johnson back in 2014, claiming that he wasn't a deadbeat. There's just one problem: it wasn't true.

"It was excuses, it was I’m trying to work this out, give me time, let me be patient, you know, be patient," said Eric Foster.

"He made promises, he never fulfilled the promises," said Marc Fishman.

"I wonder what else he lied about, since he lied about when he was going to pay us, and what else he's not owning up to?" said Dimitrus Smith.

Political consultants, landlords and their lawyers - even kids who worked on his campaign, Bert Johnson stiffed them all. What I didn't know at the time I exposed Johnson's financial problems, was that he had already hatched a scheme to use your money pay some of his bills.

By late 2013, the private high school where Johnson sent his son was tacking on late fees. Tuition bills were piling up at the private college where Johnson was taking classes and the senator's political consultant was threatening to sue Johnson for nearly $30,000.

 "Well (Bert Johnson) didn't pay my (bills). I've heard him say that before as well, M.L, and I'll tell you he didn't pay mine," said Dave Seman. "And he still has yet to pay mine."

In October 2013, Johnson convinced Glynnis Thornton to lend him $10,000. Over the next five months, Thornton tried -- and failed -- to get Johnson to pay her back.

Then, in March 2014, Johnson devised a plan: he would put Thornton on his Senate staff and pay her $22 an hour for 30 hours a week -- but she would not have to work.

Three days after launching his plan to use tax dollars to pay off his debt, the senator hit Thornton up for another $4,000.

By the time Thornton left Johnson’s senate payroll, the taxpayers were out more than $23,000. It wasn't until March 2017 when the FBI raided Johnson's Highland Park home that the public learned the senator might be in trouble. Johnson's first lawyer claimed Thornton set him up.

He was dragged into this particular matter by someone who it appears has sustained a conviction and needs a benefit for purposes of sentence.

MORE COVERAGE:
State Senator Bert Johnson pleads guilty, resigns from Senate
Sen. Bert Johnson changes mind, pleads guilty to corruption
Sen. Bert Johnson rejects plea deal to go to trial
Embattled Sen. Bert Johnson wants public to pay for new lawyer
Recording surfaces of Sen. Bert Johnson in ghost employee investigation
Sen. Bert Johnson in federal court for 'ghost employee' allegations
FBI, MSP executing search warrant at home, offices of Sen. Bert Johnson
Embattled Sen. Bert Johnson wants public to pay for new lawyer

Johnson threatened to fight the public corruption charge, but in the end, cut a deal to plead guilty. Nearly a year after the FBI raid on his home and senate office, Johnson resigned -- finally, giving taxpayers a break.