GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN – U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that John Dawood Dalaly, 71, of West Bloomfield, Michigan, was sentenced to serve 28 months in federal prison and fined $25,000 for paying bribes to Rick Vernon Johnson, the former Chairperson of the Michigan Medical Marijuana Licensing Board. Following his release from prison, Dalaly will serve two years on supervised release. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Jane Beckering.
“John Dalaly bribed a public official. He corrupted a process designed to give people a fair shot at entering this promising new market,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten “Now, he’ll serve time in a federal prison. Public corruption is a poison to our democracy, and we will hold offenders accountable whenever and wherever we find them.”
Rick Johnson was a member and the Chairperson of the Michigan Medical Marijuana Licensing Board (MMLB) between May 2017 and April 2019. Prior to his appointment to that Board, Johnson worked as a lobbyist in Lansing, Michigan, and served as Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives.
John Dalaly operated two companies that were formed with the purpose of obtaining various operating licenses from the MMLB or exploring the licensing of a digital currency platform for medical marijuana financial transactions. Dalaly admitted paying at least $68,200 in cash and other benefits (including private charter flights) to Johnson while he served as the Chair of the MMLB. In return, Johnson voted in favor of approving the prequalification status for one of Dalaly’s companies and voted in favor of granting medical marijuana licenses to that company. Johnson also provided valuable non-public information about the anticipated rules and operation of the MMLB and assistance with license application matters to Dalaly and others who paid him money.
“The corrupt activities uncovered in this case were facilitated by men whose desire for favorable treatment outweighed notions of integrity and fair play,” said Devin J. Kowalski, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “Public corruption is the FBI’s top criminal investigative priority and anyone who seeks to influence public officials through bribery will be thoroughly investigated.”
Rick Johnson’s sentencing for accepting bribes is scheduled for Thursday, September 28, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. in Grand Rapids before U.S. District Judge Jane Beckering. U.S. Attorney Mark Totten is scheduled to attend Johnson’s sentencing hearing and provide comments outside immediately following.
On Wednesday, October 18, 2023, sentencing hearings have been scheduled for Brian Pierce at 11 a.m. and Vince Brown at 1:30 p.m. in Grand Rapids before U.S. District Judge Jane Beckering.
Assistant United States Attorneys Christopher O’Connor and Clay Stiffler are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.
More Posts
How do I treat a dark traffic signal at an intersection?
Question: How do I treat a dark traffic signal at an intersection? Answer: When a signal at an intersection loses power and there are no other traffic control devices (e.g., stop sign, yield sign, temporary signal, temporary sign) or police officers present at...
Can I have open alcohol in a trailer that is being pulled on the road?
Question: Can I have open alcohol in a trailer or camper that is being pulled on the road? Answer: In most instances transporting or possession of open intoxicants in a vehicle is not permitted. MCL 257.624a states in part, "a person who is an operator or occupant...
What is The Statue of Limitations in Michigan?
In Michigan, there is no statute of limitations for certain serious offenses, ensuring that justice can be pursued indefinitely. First and foremost, homicide crimes have no time limit for prosecution. This includes murder in the first or second degree, as well as...
What is a Grand Jury and How do They Indict Someone?
Depends what state you're in and if it's local or federal. A Grand Jury is a crucial component of the legal system. It functions as an "independent" body responsible for reviewing evidence and determining whether criminal charges should be filed against an individual....
Michigan on Pace to Become $3-Billion Cannabis Market in 2023
Michigan's cannabis market is thriving, with licensed dispensaries reporting record-breaking sales of $276.7 million in July 2023. This surpassed the previous record set in June and contributed to a total of $1.7 billion in cannabis sales for the first seven months of...
Federal Appeals Court Rules That Gun Ban For Cannabis Consumers Is Unconstitutional
A federal appeals court has ruled that the ban preventing people who use marijuana from possessing firearms is unconstitutional. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit concluded that the historical context of the Second Amendment's original 1791 ratification...
How do I get a Copy of my Driving Record in Michigan?
To obtain your certified complete driving record, you can visit your local Secretary of State (SOS) office, request it online, or order it by mail. The cost for obtaining this record is $12. To purchase a certified copy of your driving record online: Create an account...
SSNDOB Marketplace Administrator Pleads Guilty To Charges Related To His Operation Of A Series Of Websites That Sold Millions Of Social Security Numbers
United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg, along with Special Agent in Charge Kareem Carter for the IRS - Criminal Investigation Washington D.C. Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge David Walker for the FBI - Tampa Division, announces that Vitalii Chychasov (37,...
United States Attorneys Office – Press Releases
USAO Eastern District - Michigan See more here
What does a Federal Defense Attorney do?
Komorn Law represents clients that have been charged criminally in the Federal Court System. Call our office if you are looking for top representation 248-357-2550 What is a Federal Defense Attorney? Federal defense attorneys play a crucial role in the criminal...
