A Seattle Internal Revenue Service Agent is charged with soliciting and accepting a bribe after auditing a local marijuana business, according to the U.S. attorney's office.
When Paul Hurley presented the owner with a $290,000 tax bill, Hurley told the owner he had saved him $1 million.
For his so-called efforts, Hurley said he wanted $20,000 from the owner.
Marijuana remains illegal under federal law, so no business deductions are allowed on federal tax returns and the gross revenue is taxable.
Court documents say the taxpayer asked how Hurley wanted the payment, and Hurley reportedly responded "he wanted [the taxpayer] to pay off Hurley's student loans in small amounts over time."
After the taxpayer allegedly told Hurley he or she "did not believe that was a good idea," Hurley said he wanted cash.
The business owner alerted his lawyer, who contacted law enforcement.
Law enforcement observed two meetings where Hurley accepted money delivered by the business owner, according to the news release. He was arrested following the second meeting on Monday morning.
Police observed two meetings where they say Hurley accepted cash from the business owner. He was arrested on Monday morning.
Hurley appeared in court Monday and was released on his own recognizance pending future hearings.
KIRO
