OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - The man behind a national chain of stores that provide supplies to medical marijuana growers is facing charges that he stole thousands of dollars from Oakland grant programs.

     

Alameda County prosecutors charged 27-year-old Dhar Mann on Thursday with four counts of grand theft, two counts of attempted grand theft and six counts of forgery.

     

He is accused of defrauding city redevelopment programs that covered some of the cost of renovating certain commercial buildings.

     

Investigators say Mann submitted fraudulent paperwork that inflated the amount of money he paid contractors for the renovations, earning him higher grant awards from the city. Mann is accused of actually paying the contractors much less.

     

His attorney, John Runfola, says the charges are overblown.

     

Mann is the founder of weGrow, a chain of hydroponic supplies stores catering to medical marijuana growers.

      

      

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