YREKA, Siskiyou County (AP) — Federal officials have charged a brother and sister with offering a California sheriff $1 million to turn a blind eye to their marijuana growing operations.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Sacramento says Chi Meng Yang and Gaosheng Laitinen offered Siskiyou County Sheriff Jon Lopey the money earlier this year in exchange for protection from raids.
READ MORE: Study Shows Wildfire Smoke Much More Harmful Than Auto PollutionLopey tells the Record Searchlight he contacted federal authorities after the bribe was offered and wore a hidden device to record conversations with Yan and Laitinen while pretending to cooperate.
READ MORE: COVID: E. Bay Teachers Union At Odds With District Plan To Get Students Back On CampusYang was arrested Thursday and is scheduled to make an appearance in court Friday. Officials are still trying to find Laitinen.
MORE NEWS: Woman Arrested For Anti-Asian Attacks In Mountain ViewU.S. Attorney’s Office spokeswoman Lauren Horwood did not immediately respond to a telephone message asking if Yang has a lawyer.
