A California woman has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for orchestrating a multimillion-dollar credit card fraud scheme that funded illegal marijuana operations in Oregon.Mariam Gevorkova, 37, of Glendale, California, received her sentence in February 2023 after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, and conspiracy to … [Read more...] about From Bud to Bust: Cannabis Club Owner Sentenced in Massive Fraud Scheme
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Marijuana lab-testing analysis finds routine THC inflation, data manipulation
The THC potency of marijuana flower sold in legal stores in four states is routinely and systematically inflated, sometimes by as much as 25% or more, according to an independent analysis of licensed cannabis testing-laboratory data obtained by MJBizDaily. But perhaps even more troublingly, the analysis – conducted by Yasha Kahn of MCR Labs, a state-licensed cannabis testing … [Read more...] about Marijuana lab-testing analysis finds routine THC inflation, data manipulation
NASA employee admits to defrauding COVID-19 programs to fund illegal weed operation
An employee at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena has admitted to defrauding pandemic-era protection programs aimed to help business and individuals survive the economic downturn caused by COVID-19. Armen Hovanesian, 32, of Glendale, agreed to plead guilty to defrauding a government sponsored loan plan in 2020, admitting to using some of the fraudulently obtained … [Read more...] about NASA employee admits to defrauding COVID-19 programs to fund illegal weed operation
Fake cannabis billionaire Justin Costello pleads guilty in $35 million fraud, with recommended prison term of 10 years
Justin Costello, who posed as a billionaire and twice-wounded Special Forces Iraq veteran to dupe investors while portraying himself as a legal cannabis mogul, pleaded guilty Wednesday to securities fraud. Under a plea agreement with Costello, prosecutors will recommend a sentence of 10 years in prison, with Costello echoing that call and being barred from asking for less time … [Read more...] about Fake cannabis billionaire Justin Costello pleads guilty in $35 million fraud, with recommended prison term of 10 years
