Benoit to Propose Removal of Jones From Council

Anne Arundel County Councilman Jamie Benoit (D-4th District) of Crownsville plans to introduce legislation during Monday's council meeting that would declare Councilman Daryl Jones' seat vacant after he reports to federal prison in January, The Baltimore Sun reported Saturday.

The legislation would be introduced as an emergency ordinance that would need five votes in order to be approved. The county attorney, Jonathan A. Hodgson, recently filed a legal opinion that stated the council could remove Jones (D-1st District) from his seat when he reports to prison as he would not be living in the district he represents during his , according to the Sun.

Jones, a Severn resident, was sentenced to five months in federal prison after pleading guilty to failing to file his taxes over a six-year period. Despite the conviction, the county charter allows Jones to keep his council seat. He has not given any indication that he will step down.

If the council votes to declare Jones' seat vacant, it would need to appoint a replacement within 30 days. The replacement also must live in the first district and be a Democrat, according to the Sun.