WASHINGTON — The owner of a marijuana dispensary in D.C. has been arrested for evading approximately $930,000 in taxes.
Jennifer Brunenkant, 68, faces 19 charges for failing to pay federal income and employment taxes for her licensed marijuana dispensary business, Herbal Alternatives II, LLC. According to an unsealed indictment, between at least 2018 to 2021, Brunenkant didn’t pay $800,000 in federal income tax and $130,000 in employment tax.
Not only did Brunenkant not pay the taxes, she also did not file any income tax return during those years, the indictment alleges. Though there were apparently dozens of employees at Herbal Alternatives, Brunenkant allegedly did not collect or account for taxes on their behalf.
Each count of tax evasion and failure to pay over employment taxes has a statutory maximum sentence of five years. If she were found guilty and sentenced to the maximum to be served consecutively, she faces up to 95 years in prison. Each charge also could have financial penalties. However, charges often change by the time they are finalized and sentencing will be determined by the court.
Just a week ago, D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb announced the closure of several unlicensed weed shops in the District after an investigation found they were selling products that were laced with amphetamine and other narcotics. Since the investigation began, 25 stores were shut down and 38 others face other penalties. Some stores were partially licensed and had an unlicensed secondary operation. Brunenkant’s store is fully licensed and not one of the shut-down operations.
Herbal Alternatives is located near Dupont Circle on the third floor of 1710 Rhode Island Avenue NW. As of Friday morning, it appears to still be open.
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