Former Adelanto Mayor Sentenced to 14 Months in Prison Over Bribes from Cannabis Interests

LOS ANGELES– Adelanto, California’s former mayor, Richard Kerr, 66, was sentenced to 14 months in federal prison on Friday for accepting over $57,000 in bribes and kickbacks in exchange for approving ordinances and permits for cannabis-related businesses. The decision was handed down by U.S. District Judge John W. Holcomb, who considered Kerr’s age, health, service as a U.S. Marine, and family obligations in the sentencing.

A Pattern of Corruption

Kerr’s corruption charges date back to his time as mayor, a position he held from 2014 until he was voted out of office in 2018. His legal troubles began when the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) raided his home as part of a probe into corruption within the city government.

According to the plea agreement, Kerr received illegal payments from various business people, including an attorney, which were masked as donations to a charity fund or his election campaign. In February, he pleaded guilty to one count involving wire fraud, which led to the current sentencing.

Judge Holcomb’s sentence was notably lighter than the 46 months sought by prosecutors, but it sends a clear message about the illegality of bribery and corruption.

A Broader Issue in Adelanto’s Government

This case is not an isolated incident in Adelanto’s local government. Last year, Jermaine Wright, the city’s former mayor pro tem, was sentenced to five years in prison after a jury found him guilty of taking a $10,000 bribe from an undercover FBI agent posing as a cannabis entrepreneur.

These convictions highlight ongoing concerns over the integrity of local governance and the potential influence of the growing cannabis industry on public officials. They also raise questions about transparency and ethics in the city’s process of granting permits and approvals for cannabis-related businesses.

Implications for the Cannabis Industry

The legal entanglements in Adelanto serve as a stark reminder to the broader cannabis industry of the importance of compliance with legal standards and ethical business practices. The convictions may prompt other municipalities to reexamine their own permitting and regulatory processes to ensure that they are free from improper influence.

In an industry that is working to establish itself as legitimate and responsible, maintaining public trust is paramount. As the legal landscape surrounding cannabis continues to evolve, adhering to the highest levels of integrity will be essential for businesses looking to thrive in this rapidly expanding market.

Richard Kerr has been ordered to surrender to federal custody in November to begin serving his sentence, closing a chapter on a dark period in Adelanto’s political history, and possibly opening a new one on a heightened focus on ethics and integrity within both local government and the cannabis industry.