Michigan Republican Ex Speaker Faces Decade In Prison for Marijuana Bribes

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Former Michigan Home Speaker Rick Johnson pleaded responsible on Tuesday to accepting bribes from marijuana companies in his place as Chair of the Michigan Medical Marijuana Licensing Board, with energy over which companies received in first.

He faces as much as ten years in jail.

Rick Johnson was the Chairperson of the Michigan Medical Marijuana Licensing Board (MMLB) between Could 2017 and April 2019. On this place, he set himself as much as settle for money funds from lobbyists (one other scourge on our democracy with their large company funds far outreaching the affect of residents, who’re speculated to be the “represented”).

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Johnson, a person of super energy in Michigan having served as Republican Speaker of the Home for a number of years, pleaded responsible to taking $110,000 in bribes over a two yr interval.

The federal government charging launch defined the scheme, “Brian Pierce and Vincent Brown have been lobbyists doing enterprise as Philip Alan Brown Consulting, LLC and Michigan Grower’s Consultants, LLC, who lobbied on behalf of companies and people who have been searching for working licenses from the MMLB. Johnson supplied worthwhile personal details about the anticipated guidelines and operation of the MMLB and help with license utility issues to Dalaly, Pierce, Brown, and others that paid cash to Johnson whereas he was Chairperson of the MMLB. The money funds have been made to 3 enterprise entities, which Johnson used to just accept funds from the businesses, Philip Alan Brown Consulting, LLC, and Michigan Grower’s Consultants, LLC, to assist cover these funds to Johnson whereas he was Chairperson of the MMLB. Between July 2018 and April 2019, Johnson voted in favor of approving the prequalification standing of certainly one of Dalaly’s firms and an organization that was represented by Pierce and Brown and voted in favor of granting medical marijuana licenses to these firms.”

Whereas this may simply seem to be a part of a spate of crimes frequently dedicated by politicians being delivered to mild, it’s also telling the broader story of the heightening corruption of our political course of.

This specific ongoing corruption investigation is wide-ranging and centered on the large quantities of cash at play to affect coverage choices and the ability of lobbyists behind the scenes.

On the time of charging, U.S. Lawyer Mark Totten made precisely this level, “Public corruption is a poison to any democracy. Those that wield the ability of state have a sacred obligation to serve the folks they signify. However when a authorities official takes a bribe, they spurn that solemn obligation – in favor of the related, the crooked, and finally themselves.”

Political corruption has at all times been round, however within the post-Trump period, it’s taken maintain of a complete political social gathering. The Republican Occasion is presently led by a prison defendant, and their motto appears to be “f regulation enforcement except we are able to weaponize it towards opponents.”

The regulation, after all, is meant to be utilized to all with out worry or favor. This has by no means been the case, however it’s the best and fewer than that may be a trigger for objection.

This month specifically, it’s appeared as if one darkish secret after one other is being delivered to justice in some type. We will solely hope this leads to a cleansing out of presidency and a restoration of the objectives of morals and ethics as an alternative of celebrating criminality and thuggery in our political leaders.