Riverside, California – Former Mayor of Adelanto Richard Allen Kerr, 64, was arrested today by special agents of the FBI on a federal grand jury indictment alleging he accepted more than $57,000 in bribes and kickbacks in exchange for approving ordinances authorizing various types of commercial marijuana activity within the city.
Kerr, who served as Adelanto’s mayor from 2014 to 2018, is charged with seven counts of honest services wire fraud and two counts of bribery.
The indictment alleges that as mayor, Kerr supported marijuana legalization, voted in favor of an ordinance authorizing marijuana cultivation in the city, voted in favor of an ordinance authorizing the operation of medical marijuana dispensaries, and voted to authorize the distribution, transportation and testing of medical marijuana, among other commercial marijuana activities.
Kerr allegedly secretly used his official position to enrich himself and his co-schemers by passing these same ordinances. The bribes and kickbacks were disguised by Kerr and his co-schemers as gifts, donations to a charitable fund, donations to Kerr’s election campaign, or advance payments for the proceeds of planned litigation associated with a motorcycle accident.
According to the indictment, the bribes and kickbacks were allegedly paid by a lawyer who specialized in plaintiffs’ tort litigation, identified in the indictment as “Person A,” and two individuals, labeled “Person C and “Person D,” who had business interests in the city, including those involving marijuana cultivation.
Kerr’s alleged co-schemers were reportedly rewarded with favorable official action on behalf of the city to Person A, Person C, and other co-schemers with business interests in the city by authorizing various types of commercial marijuana activities, ensuring his supporters obtained the licenses or permits they sought, and interfering with enforcement activities by city officials.
Kerr is expected to make his initial appearance this afternoon in United States District Court in Riverside. The case against Kerr is ongoing and further details will be provided as they become available.
Defendant: Richard Allen Kerr
Criminal Charges: Seven counts of honest services wire fraud, two counts of bribery
City and State: Adelanto, California
Date: August 11, 2023
Outcome: Currently being held in federal custody
Dollar Amount: $57,000 in bribes and kickbacks
Related Federal Cases
- McKenzie Marie Earley, $10M Wire Fraud, C.D. California, 2023 · Alaska
- Christopher Furman, Wire Fraud and Money Laundering, Pennsylvania 2009 · California
- Amy Evangelista, Tax Fraud, California 2023 · Alaska
- Federal Regulators, Lifel, Securities Fraud, California 2020 · New York
- Consuelo “Connie” Puente, Wire Fraud, CA, 2023 · Alaska
Key Facts
- State: California
- Category: Public Corruption|Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News