Public corruption is a serious threat to democracy. .”
By Ken Coleman, Michigan Advance
On Thursday, Mark Totten, U.S. Attorney for Michigan’s Western District announced that four individuals were indicted in federal court for their participation in the bribery scheme of Rick Johnson (ex-chair of the Michigan Marijuana Licensing Board).
Johnson was appointed by the GOP’s former governor. Rick Snyder was nominated by Arlan Meekhof, the former Senate Majority Leader (R-West Olive). Johnson was a Republican House speaker from 2001 to 2004, before becoming a prominent lobbyist for Lansing.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, all four defendants have cooperated with the investigation and agreed to plead guilty. They have all agreed to plead guilty through written plea agreements, which will be filed with court.
Public corruption is a poison to democracy. The sacred duty of those who have the power to rule the nation is to uphold the rights and interests of the citizens they represent. Totten stated that government officials who accept bribes will abandon their solemn duty to serve the people they represent. My office will always place highest priority on eliminating public corruption with independence and impartiality.
These are the charges:
- Johnson was a member of the state House from 1999 to 2004, and was charged with accepting a Bribe. This is a felony offense that can lead to up 10 years in federal prison or a $250,000 fine.
- John Dalaly, West Bloomfield, was charged with paying a Bribe. This is a felony offense that can lead to up to 10 years in federal jail and a $250,000 fine.
- Brian Pierce, Midland was arrested for conspiracy to commit bribery. This is a felony offense that can lead to up to five years in federal prison or a $250,000 fine.
- Vincent Brown, Royal Oak, was charged with conspiring to commit bribery. This is a felony offense that can lead to up to five years in federal prison or a $250,000 fine.
Johnson was a member of the Michigan Medical Marijuana Licensing Board between May 2017 – April 2019. Dalaly owned two companies, which were created with the intention of obtaining operating licenses from MMLB and exploring the licensing of a digital currency platform to facilitate medical marijuana financial transactions.
Pierce and Brown were lobbyists who operated as Philip Alan Brown Consulting LLC or Michigan Grower’s Consultants LLC. They lobbied for individuals and businesses seeking operating licenses from MMLB.
Johnson allegedly gave valuable, non-public information regarding the MMLB’s operation and rules to Dalaly Pierce and Brown. Johnson was also alleged to have assisted with licensing application matters. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Johnson allegedly accepted cash payments from three businesses entities, Philip Alan Brown Consulting, LLC and Michigan Grower’s Consultants, LLC to conceal the payments to Johnson.
Johnson voted for the approval of the prequalification status for one of Dalaly’s companies and a firm represented by Pierce and Brown. According to the U.S. Attorney’s office, Johnson also voted in support of granting medical cannabis licenses to these companies.
Johnson’s plea agreement states he received more than $100,000 in cash and benefits as a member of the MMLB and chairperson.
According to Dalaly’s plea agreement, he paid at least $68,200 in cash and other benefits to Johnson. This includes paying for Johnson’s travel to Canada on two private chartered flights.
According to the plea agreements of Pierce and Brown, they conspired to pay at least $42,000 to Johnson in cash and other benefits. They have also agreed to cooperate with FBI and U.S. Attorney’s offices in investigating the charges and any other federal crimes. This includes “full and complete and truthful testimony” and interviews.
James Tarasca is the FBI special agent in Michigan. He stated that “it is always sad when someone who enjoys trusting the people abuses that trust for their own gain.” “Public corruption is a top priority of the FBI’s investigative priorities and today’s accusations represent our continuing commitment to work with the United States Attorney’s Office in order to ensure that residents get the fair and honest government they deserve.”
This story first appeared in Michigan Advance.
New Hampshire House approves Marijuana Legalization Bill for Second Time. It is now being sent to the Senate
The post Feds Convict Former Michigan House Speaker in Marijuana Licensing Bribery Case was first published on Marijuana Moment.
