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
Over 3,000 cases may have been impacted by inaccuracy of Michigan State Police marijuana testing
If you feel like your case has been or could be affected by the inaccuracy of the MSP's marijuana testing results contact our office immediately! Call 800-656-3557 Michigan State Police locked up more than 3,000 people because of faulty marijuana tests, according to...
The Right to a Jury Trial
When facing criminal charges you have the right to have a trial by jury. The justice system will offer you the right to a jury trial. It's just a matter if you can afford that right. A jury trial with an attorney that is not a public defender can be costly. If you...
New Michigan marijuana director hints at plans to go after black market marijuana
One thing is clear: Michigan marijuana regulators intend to increase enforcement to eradicate black-market marijuana making its way to the licensed commercial market and the new Michigan marijuana director hints at plans to go after black market marijuana Gov....
Super potent weed spurs distrust in Michigan marijuana industry
In case you missed it... The validity of results issued by marijuana safety labs in Michigan and across the nation have been called into question. There are allegations of labs intentionally issuing higher THC potency test results -- which makes the marijuana more...
Can Police Lie To You?
Police are allowed to lie to you. One might believe that if you ask an undercover cop if they are a police officer they have to tell you. That’s not true. Police can and will lie to you. It's legal for cops to lie The Police may legally lie, bluff, mislead and...
Michigan state police remain silent on marijuana testing debacle
Most likely they assume you're guilty when you choose your right to remain silent. So should we do the same? Michigan state police remain silent on marijuana testing debacle while critics call for change. March 28, 2019, is the date Michigan state police say CBD...
More than 3,000 cases may have been impacted by inaccuracy of MSP’s marijuana testing
WXYZ ABC Report 8/31/22 (WXYZ) — The Michigan State Police say more than three thousand cases involving alleged marijuana impairment could have been false positives. Last week, the MSP Forensic Science Division announced they were halting all testing of...
Michigan State Police halt blood tests for marijuana over accuracy concerns
By Gus Burns | fburns@mlive.com The Michigan State Police Crime lab on Thursday, Aug. 25, notified prosecutors across the state that there’s a problem with marijuana testing in blood. “The MSP Forensic Science Division is examining a discrepancy discovered...
Another MSP Lab Scandal?
MSP’s defective blood tests unable to distinguish between THC and CBD cannabinoids By Eric L. VanDussen Michigan State Police Toxicology Unit Supervisor, Geoffrey French, has confirmed that his department’s method for testing THC levels in blood samples is...
Certify Yourself for Medical Marijuana
In Washigton DC To declare the existence of an emergency with respect to the need to amend the Legalization of Marijuana for Medical Treatment Initiative of 1999 to allow individuals 21 years of age and older to self-certify that they are utilizing marijuana for...
