Michigan Businessman Pleads Guilty to Bribing Former Medical Cannabis Agency Head

A Michigan businessman last week pleaded guilty to paying bribes to the former head of the state’s Medical Marihuana Licensing Board, the Detroit News reports. John Dawood Dalaly admitted to a federal judge that he hired Rick Johnson’s wife, Jan Johnson, as a consultant for $4,000 a month and she helped him fill out forms that would end up in front of the board that her husband chaired.

Dalaly also admitted to providing at least $68,200 in cash and other benefits to Johnson, including two private flights to Canada.

Dalaly is the second person to plead guilty in the scheme and he now faces up to a decade in federal prison. Earlier this month, Johnson pleaded guilty to accepting $110,000 in bribes in exchange for industry licenses. Johnson served as head of the board for two years and served as state House speaker from 2001-2004 when Republicans controlled the chamber.

According to the plea agreement outlined by the News, Dalaly had the understanding that the expenditures benefiting Johnson “were offered and given to influence or reward Johnson.”

Earlier this month, Dalaly, Johnson, Brian Pierce, and Vincent Brown all signed plea deals admitting the charges.

Under the plea agreement, Johnson agreed to forfeit the $110,000 in bribes and the U.S. Attorney’s Office agreed not to oppose his request for a reduction in offense level, which would impact his sentencing.

Dalaly is expected to be sentenced on September 14.