Damian Fagon, the embattled Chief Equity Officer at the Office of Cannabis Management, resigned on Friday following an investigation into allegations of retaliation and favoritism, which rocked the nascent cannabis space but were ultimately found unsubstantiated, according to the OCM.
Fagon, who joined the agency in June of 2022, was placed on administrative leave earlier this year following a Syracuse.com investigation and a subsequent inquiry by the Office of the Inspector General following reports of heavy-handed silencing tactics toward critics and the expedition of licenses for certain businesses.
The Inspector General report found the allegations unsubstantiated. The report was not made public but NY Cannabis Insider obtained a copy.
"I know that Mr. Fagon has done tremendous work leading OCM's equity efforts, setting up OCM to take the most innovative and equity-driven approach to the development of New York's cannabis industry," said Felicia A. B. Reid, in a statement. "I am thankful to him for his time and talent. I wish him well and great success in his future endeavors."
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