Michigan Businessman Sentenced to 2+ Years In Prison for Cannabis Industry Bribes

A Michigan businessman on Thursday was sentenced to more than two years in federal prison for bribing the former head of the state cannabis licensing board, the Associated Press reports. John Dalaly pleaded guilty to the charges in April, admitting that he had paid Rick Johnson at least $68,200 in cash and other benefits, including two private flights to Canada, and hired Johnson’s wife, who helped him fill out forms that would end up in front of the state Medical Marihuana Licensing Board, as a consultant for $4,000 a month. 

Johnson, a Republican who served as House speaker from 2001 to 2004 chaired the board for two years before it was disbanded in 2019. He has admitted to accepting at least $110,000 in bribes while head of the board and is currently awaiting sentencing. Prosecutors are recommending a six-year prison term for Johnson.

Two lobbyists have also pled guilty in the scheme.

Following Dalaly’s sentencing, U.S. Attorney Mark Totten said, “Public corruption is a poison to our democracy, and we will hold offenders accountable whenever and wherever we find them.”

In a sentencing memo in Johnson’s case unveiled on Thursday, prosecutors detailed that Johnson also received “thousands of dollars’ worth of commercial sex with a woman in the adult entertainment industry.” the Detroit Free Press reports. Dalaly’s attorney said his client “had nothing to do with having a sex worker” involved with Johnson.