NJ Senator Accused of Exploiting Cannabis Equity Laws via Fake Ownership
A former chief of staff has sued New Jersey State Senator Raj Mukherji, alleging the lawmaker exploited the state's marijuana social equity licensing program by recruiting political allies to serve as nominal owners of dispensaries they did not actually control. The lawsuit claims Mukherji used these arrangements to secure licensing preferences for businesses run by management companies bearing his initials, which subsequently accumulated significant debt and failed. The former aide, Justin Shoham, claims he was promised a substantial sum for his stake but never received it, and that the shops were shut down within a year. Mukherji denies the allegations, stating he was stunned by the lawsuit and that he did not engage in wrongdoing.