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Ex-Congressional Staffer Charged With Extortion, Bribery

Allegedly took a payment in exchange for a promise to prevent the closure of a marijuana shop.

A former congressional staffer was arrested on Wednesday and charged with extortion and bribery for allegedly taking a $5,000 payment in exchange for a promise to keep a marijuana shop open, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California announced. Michael Kimbrew, 44, was charged with one count of attempted extortion and one count of receiving a bribe. Kimbrew, posing as an FBI agent, allegedly accused the shop of violating the law and told an employee it would be shut down if Kimbrew did not receive the $5,000 payment. Kimbrew was nabbed by an undercover FBI agent posing as a “business partner.” He pleaded not guilty and was let go on $15,000 bond, with a trial scheduled for late September. According to his LinkedIn page, Kimbrew worked for former Rep. Janice Hahn (D-CA).