DC dispensary queen pleads guilty in $1.2M tax dodge

by
May 14, 2025
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DC dispensary owner admits to evading $1.2 million in federal taxes

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The former owner of a licensed marijuana dispensary in Washington has pleaded guilty to evading more than $1.2 million in federal income and employment taxes over a five-year period, prosecutors announced Tuesday.

Jennifer Brunenkant, 68, admitted in federal court that she failed to pay taxes related to her business, Herbal Alternatives II, LLC, from 2017 through 2021. The dispensary operated as a licensed marijuana retailer in the District of Columbia.

According to court records, Brunenkant took steps to hide her actions, including falsely stating on her D.C. business tax forms that she had filed federal returns. In a July 2023 interview with law enforcement, she repeated that false claim, telling investigators her returns had been filed when they had not.

Brunenkant pleaded guilty to one count of attempting to evade or defeat tax before U.S. District Court Judge Loren L. AliKhan. She is scheduled for sentencing on November 20. The court will determine her sentence based on federal sentencing guidelines.

Federal prosecutors plan to seek more than $1.2 million in restitution for the unpaid taxes. The case was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian P. Kelly.

Chris Quigley

Chris Quigley

Chris Quigley is a Staff Writer and Community News Correspondent for Shore News Network, where she covers local government, public safety, community affairs, politics, and issues impacting residents throughout New Jersey. Her reporting focuses on delivering timely, accurate, and relevant news that helps readers stay informed about the communities in which they live and work.

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Through her work at Shore News Network, Chris Quigley contributes to the organization's mission of providing trusted local news coverage, accountability reporting, and community-focused journalism throughout New Jersey.

Chris Quigley is a graduate of Stockton State University and began her career at IN Jersey, the online news and media branch of the Asbury Park Press. She also worked at Monmouth Internet, the Ocean Signal Newspaper, and JTOWN Magazine during her career in both content management and operations.

Degrees: Business B.A. - Stockton University

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