Rick Johnson pleads guilty to bribery

GRAND RAPIDS — The former head of a Michigan marijuana licensing board pleaded guilty to bribery Tuesday, acknowledging he accepted at least $110,000 in exchange for approving applications for the lucrative business. Rick Johnson’s appearance in federal court in Grand Rapids was a remarkable fall. Years ago he was a powerful state lawmaker, serving as speaker of the Republican-controlled House from 2001 through 2004. Johnson, of LeRoy, is a former Osceola County Board of Commissioners member and was chairman of the board before running for a State House seat. The...