Former Michigan House Speaker Admits to Bribery Charges

Former Michigan House speaker, Rick Johnson, has pleaded guilty to accepting bribes as he led a state board with the power to decide which businesses got into the burgeoning marijuana market first. Johnson faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000. He is the most prominent figure charged so far in the largest public corruption case in the state capital in the last 30 years. Johnson received at least $110,200 in cash payments and other benefits from businesses seeking medical marijuana licenses and lobbyists who represented them.