A marijuana lobbyist in Oakland stands accused of attempting to bribe at least two city officials, and the case has been referred to the county district attorney’s office for further investigation.
According to the East Bay Express, lobbyist Dorian Gray allegedly offered Oakland City Council President Larry Reid $10,000 in cash, while an assistant city administrator said Gray tried to give him a free trip to Spain in exchange for helping a client obtain a cannabis business permit.
“He offered me ten grand twice,” Reid told the Express. “I told him, ‘Man, I don’t work that way.’ He actually had an envelope.”
Gray has denied Reid’s allegation but said the Spain trip was intended as an “informational tour” for the administrator.
“I have not done anything criminal,” Gray told the Express.
Gray, who is not a registered lobbyist with the city of Oakland, was reportedly working on behalf of Aidan Sciandra, one of 46 license applicants who vied for just four city cannabis dispensary permits.
Sciandra, who reportedly runs MMJ nonprofit The Plug Oakland Cooperative, was not among the license winners.
