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
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...
Michigan ends marijuana testing for some government jobs
Updated: Jul. 13, 2023, 4:35 p.m. Some Michigan government job applicants will no longer be overlooked because of their marijuana use. The Michigan Civil Service Commission voted unanimously Wednesday, July 12, to partially lift a longstanding ban on hiring...
Why Having Legal Defense Funds at the Ready is Wise if Growing Cannabis in Michigan
When it rains down in legal problems it's probably going to pour. So you better have an umbrella fund off to the side somewhere safe...hidden...out of reach...stashed. If you don't have the funds, you won't get good representation...and then you're easy prey for the...
Personal Protection Orders in Michigan
A Personal Protection Order (PPO), also known as a restraining order are legal measures designed to protect individuals from various forms of harm, including domestic violence, stalking, harassment, and sexual assault. To obtain personal protection orders,...
Restraining Orders
A Personal Protection Order (PPO), also known as a restraining order are legal measures designed to protect individuals from various forms of harm, including domestic violence, stalking, harassment, and sexual assault.To obtain personal protection orders,...
The New Distracted Driving Law in Michigan
This safe driving law goes into effect June 30, 2023. This amended law although states it doesn't... it also provides another path for the police to get into your vehicle once pulled over. Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed into law a bill making it illegal to...
What is Distracted Driving in Michigan?
Driving is a visual task and non-driving activities that draw the driver's eyes away from the roadway should always be avoided. As of July 1, 2010, Michigan law prohibits texting while driving. For a first offense, motorists are fined $100. Subsequent offenses cost...
Michigan weighs removing pre-employment drug test for marijuana
Jobs with the state of Michigan may no longer require passing drug tests for marijuana to gain employment. The legalization of recreational cannabis along with hundreds of applicants testing positive for marijuana prior to being offered employment have...
How Much Does it Cost for an Expungement in Michigan?
How much is your record costing you not to have it expunged is the question you should ask yourself. When you have been convicted of a crime in Michigan, you are likely aware of the negative impact it can have on your life, even after you have knelt in submission,...
Pending Charges?
Pending Charges. Don't wait. Get ahead of their game. If you have been arrested but not charged yet. Don't wait while they build evidence and take your statements to use against you! They may just be building a case against you and letting you get more comfortable...
