The former head of a Michigan medical marijuana licensing board has agreed to plead guilty to accepting $110,000 in bribes when he led the panel over a two-year period
, authorities said Thursday.
Johnson, 70, was chairman of the marijuana board for two years until spring 2019. The Republican years earlier also was a powerful lawmaker, serving as House speaker from 2001 through 2004. Johnson accepted $110,200 in cash and benefits from at least two companies while voting in favor of granting them marijuana licenses, according to the bribery charge.
Two lobbyists, Brian Pierce and Vincent Brown, have agreed to plead guilty to conspiring to pass bribes to Johnson, filings show.
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Former head of Michigan marijuana board admits he took bribesThe former head of a Michigan medical marijuana licensing board has agreed to plead guilty to accepting $110,000 in bribes when he led the panel over a two-year period, authorities said Thursday.
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Ex-head of Michigan medical marijuana board and former state House speaker admits he took bribesThe former head of a Michigan medical marijuana licensing board has agreed to plead guilty to accepting $110,000 in bribes when he led the panel over a two-year period, authorities said Thursday.
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Ex-head of Michigan marijuana board admits he took bribesThe former head of a Michigan medical marijuana licensing board has agreed to plead guilty to accepting $110,000 in bribes when he led the panel over a two-year period, authorities said Thursday.
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Former head of Michigan marijuana board admits taking bribesRick Johnson, 70, was chairman of the marijuana board for two years until spring 2019. The Republican years earlier also was a powerful lawmaker, serving as House speaker from 2001 through 2004.
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Ex-head of Michigan marijuana board admits he took bribesThe former head of a Michigan medical marijuana licensing board admits he accepted $110,000 in bribes to influence his decisions. Rick Johnson has agreed to plead guilty, according to documents filed in federal court in Grand Rapids. Charges against Johnson and three other men were announced Thursday. Johnson was chairman of the marijuana board for two years until spring 2019. Years earlier, he was a powerful lawmaker in the Michigan Capitol, serving as House speaker through 2004. A message seeking comment from Johnson’s attorney wasn’t immediately returned. The Michigan marijuana board reviewed and approved applications to grow and sell marijuana. U.S. Attorney Mark Totten says, “Public corruption is a poison to any democracy.'
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