Ex-Seattle IRS agent faces 15 yrs. for taking pot shop bribes

Published 12:19 pm Saturday, February 13, 2016

SEATTLE — Jurors have convicted a former Internal Revenue Service agent of taking a $20,000 bribe from a medical marijuana dispensary owner.

The Seattle Times reported Paul G. Hurley of Seattle will be sentenced May 13 on two felony charges. He faces up to 15 years in prison.

The Associated Press reported Hurley audited Seattle dispensary Have a Heart Compassion Care last year. Prosecutors say Hurley requested the payment and dispensary owner Ryan Kunkel agreed to pay it, later contacting authorities.

Kunkel participated in a sting operation, and Hurley was arrested after the second meeting. The former IRS agent resigned days later, writing a letter saying he let everyone down.

Hurley’s attorneys had argued Kunkel offered their client an accounting job and the $20,000 payment had no impact his official duties.