Paraphernalia crusader cited for false report

A man who led a crusade for tougher laws against drug paraphernalia faces his own legal problems.

Police say 23-year-old Mike Conrad lied about being extorted, apparently to hide a gambling loss of $5,000 from his family’s investment fund.

Earlier this year, Conrad persuaded the Spokane City Council to revise the city’s drug paraphernalia ordinance after finding crack pipes disguised as novelty items at convenience stores and gas stations. Last month, the council passed a revision of the drug paraphernalia law that makes it one of the toughest in the nation.

On April 11, Conrad filed a police report claiming a man had threatened to expose information about him and his family to the media if he didn’t pay the caller $5,000, said Spokane police Lt. Dave McGovern. Among other things, police say, Conrad claimed in his story that the blackmailer was threatening to release a picture of Conrad smoking marijuana in Canada, even though Conrad told authorities he knew the blackmailer was “bluffing,” according to the police report.

Conrad initially told police he took the money to Ben Burr Park on the South Hill and gave it to the extortionist, McGovern said.

But Conrad told authorities he didn’t receive anything in exchange for the money, officials said. “When we brought him down here and interviewed him, he admitted it was a gambling debt he was trying to hide,” McGovern said.

Conrad was cited for filing a false police report, a misdemeanor, McGovern said. He wasn’t booked into jail.

Police plan to seek restitution from Conrad of nearly $1,000 for time spent on the investigation, including overtime, McGovern said.

Conrad could not be reached for comment.