Ex-Michigan House Speaker sentenced to 4.5 years in marijuana licensing bribery case
The former head of a Michigan marijuana licensing board Rick Johnson, left, walks with his attorney Nick Dondzila, outside federal court, Tuesday, April 25, 2023, in Grand Rapids (AP Photo/Joey Cappelletti) (Joey Cappellitti, Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The former head of a Michigan marijuana licensing board who also once served as Michigan’s House Speaker will spend time behind bars.
Rick Vernon Johnson was sentenced Thursday, Sept. 28 after he admitted he accepted $110,000 for approving applications . He had admitted he had used that money to pay for trips and sex workers while he was the chairman of the Michigan Medical Marijuana Licensing Board.
Johnson was sentenced to 55 months behind bars, followed by two years of supervised release and was fined $50,000.
Three others have been charged in the case . Two of them will be sentenced in October.
Copyright 2023 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.
About the Author Dane Kelly headshot
Dane Kelly is an Oreo enthusiast and producer who has spent the last seven years covering Michigan news and stories.
Tolls on Ambassador Bridge to increase Jan 1 ▶ 0:45
Tolls on Ambassador Bridge to increase Jan 1
Coyote carrying dinner seen in Oakland County ▶ 0:13
Coyote carrying dinner seen in Oakland County
The Great Lake that wasn't: Lake Champlain ▶ 1:49
The Great Lake that wasn't: Lake Champlain
Detroit Family Dollar video sparks shoplifting response ▶ 0:27
Detroit Family Dollar video sparks shoplifting response
Local elementary school principal rings bell after completing chemotherapy treatments ▶ 2:17
Local elementary school principal rings bell after completing chemotherapy treatments
'Evil, sadistic' Oakland County doctor sentenced ▶ 1:21
'Evil, sadistic' Oakland County doctor sentenced
$1K reward for info in Detroit home invasion ▶ 0:25
$1K reward for info in Detroit home invasion
Sights and sounds of shoppers on Black Friday inside Somerset Collection ▶ 0:53
Sights and sounds of shoppers on Black Friday inside Somerset Collection
What are you thankful for this Thanksgving? ▶ 1:39
What are you thankful for this Thanksgving?
Why do the Detroit Lions play on Thanksgiving? ▶ 1:10
Why do the Detroit Lions play on Thanksgiving?
More audio from secret recording of Campbell's VP ▶ 1:11
More audio from secret recording of Campbell's VP
Police seek suspect in Partridge Creek shooting ▶ 0:32
Police seek suspect in Partridge Creek shooting
Red-Tailed Hawk released ▶ 0:17
Red-Tailed Hawk released
Sterling Heights officer saves infant from choking ▶ 1:41
Sterling Heights officer saves infant from choking
Amazon launches drone delivery in Metro Detroit ▶ 1:29
Amazon launches drone delivery in Metro Detroit
Trump signs Epstein transparency act ▶ 0:33
Trump signs Epstein transparency act
Detroit woman finds gator in son's room ▶ 0:28
Detroit woman finds gator in son's room
Old Belle Isle Zoo demolition underway ▶ 1:33
Old Belle Isle Zoo demolition underway
Wayne County man stops at casino after police chase ▶ 1:49
Wayne County man stops at casino after police chase
House votes to release Epstein files ▶ 1:09
House votes to release Epstein files
FBI links Dearborn raid to 2021 Westland shooting ▶ 0:35
FBI links Dearborn raid to 2021 Westland shooting
Deputy fires weapon in traffic stop; suspect held ▶ 0:33
Deputy fires weapon in traffic stop; suspect held
Suspected gunman shot after carjacking, chase, crash ▶ 0:49
Suspected gunman shot after carjacking, chase, crash
Skelton brothers' father charged with murder ▶ 1:16
Skelton brothers' father charged with murder
Epstein emails discuss Trump and victim, say Dems ▶ 0:39
Epstein emails discuss Trump and victim, say Dems
Previous photo Next photo