A team of FBI agents raided Adelanto City Hall, the home of Adelanto Mayor Rich Kerr, and a local marijuana dispensary Tuesday, signaling a widening probe into possible corrupt dealings between the city and its cannabis industry.
The Internal Revenue Service, the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office, and the Sheriff’s Department are all part of the criminal corruption probe which began with the arrest of Adelanto Mayor Pro Tem Jermaine Wright last year. He is accused of accepting a $10,000 bribe from an undercover FBI agent in exchange for his help rezoning an area of the city for marijuana businesses. Investigators say he also paid another undercover agent to burn down his restaurant for the insurance money.
The FBI would not comment on the target of Tuesday’s warrants or the scope of the investigation. A spokesman would only say that “an investigation into criminal activity” is underway.
“The city is unaware of the nature of the FBI’s investigation. Nevertheless, the City remains prepared to cooperate with any investigation being conducted,” according to an official statement from Adelanto.
It’s unclear what role, if any, Mayor Kerr may play in all this. As the Los Angeles Times notes, however, Kerr was instrumental in opening the city up to the bourgeoning cannabis industry. The Victorville Daily Press reports that Kerr was seen in handcuffs Tuesday, but officials have said he was not arrested.
In addition to City Hall, the mayor’s home, and the dispensary, investigators also raided the offices of an attorney that represents the dispensary’s owner.
Read more about Tuesday’s raids at the San Bernardino Sun.
See also: Is Adelanto Councilman’s Arrest Part of a Larger Problem?