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.
Man connected to break-in flees after being spotted again ▶ 0:24
Man connected to break-in flees after being spotted again
Staying alive when you ride ▶ 0:58
Staying alive when you ride
Woman raises safety concerns over encampment in woods behind home ▶ 1:00
Woman raises safety concerns over encampment in woods behind home
'I never thought this day would come' ▶ 0:41
'I never thought this day would come'
It's time for flip flop fever! ▶ 1:28
It's time for flip flop fever!
How going back to work could hurt your case ▶ 0:29
How going back to work could hurt your case
Detroiter turns blighted building into a community bookstore, see the full story Friday ▶ 0:59
Detroiter turns blighted building into a community bookstore, see the full story Friday
Physical media is making a resurgence ▶ 0:56
Physical media is making a resurgence
Detroit Pistons' Jenkins, Cunningham talk no call in Game 5 ▶ 0:41
Detroit Pistons' Jenkins, Cunningham talk no call in Game 5
Detroit Pistons’ Cunningham remains confident after Game 5 loss ▶ 0:27
Detroit Pistons’ Cunningham remains confident after Game 5 loss
J.B. Bickerstaff urges fight after Detroit Pistons’ Game 5 meltdown ▶ 0:25
J.B. Bickerstaff urges fight after Detroit Pistons’ Game 5 meltdown
WATCH OUT When Insurance Makes a Fast Offer ▶ 1:05
WATCH OUT When Insurance Makes a Fast Offer
Masked man in coveralls sought after attempted Bbeak-in ▶ 1:13
Masked man in coveralls sought after attempted Bbeak-in
School district closure proposal draws pushback from families ▶ 0:50
School district closure proposal draws pushback from families
Something is going down in this house tomorrow, only on Local 4 ▶ 0:14
Something is going down in this house tomorrow, only on Local 4
Couple tied to dog mauling now accused of child abuse ▶ 1:18
Couple tied to dog mauling now accused of child abuse
Detroit boy rebuilding life after vicious dog attack ▶ 0:38
Detroit boy rebuilding life after vicious dog attack
Did you know this about Michigan Humane? ▶ 0:48
Did you know this about Michigan Humane?
What you can’t do under a boil water advisory ▶ 1:04
What you can’t do under a boil water advisory
Seniors rally at capitol for Older Michiganians Day ▶ 0:46
Seniors rally at capitol for Older Michiganians Day
A pause on the federal gas tax? ▶ 1:24
A pause on the federal gas tax?
Main break forces restaurants to adapt amid boil-water advisory ▶ 1:52
Main break forces restaurants to adapt amid boil-water advisory
“God answered my prayers”: New hope in missing person case ▶ 0:40
“God answered my prayers”: New hope in missing person case
Things you should NEVER do after an accident ▶ 1:04
Things you should NEVER do after an accident
Leaders roll out summer violence prevention strategy for teens ▶ 0:15
Leaders roll out summer violence prevention strategy for teens
Previous photo Next photo