A battery charge brought against Abner Kurtin, founder and chief executive officer of the New York-base multistate operator Ascend Dispensary Wellness Holdings, was dismissing on Friday, because neither the suspect nor the witness agreed to cooperate with police and prosecutor, as per the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office. The two defendants also refused to make statements that could use in court, as per the office’s spokesperson. “This made it impossible for the misdemeanor battery case to go forward in our criminal court,” Ed Griffith, the public information officer of the State Attorney’s Office, told via email. The day before, Kurtin denied having been involving in a physical fight with his partner at home in a statement sent to the TV that was issue through New York public relations firm Mattio Communications.
In the same statement, Kurtin also said, “the charges against me were dismissing.” A hearing was schedule for Friday morning at the state court of Miami. Kurtin was accusing of battery, which is a misdemeanor on September. 6 after a person of a violent encounter within his vehicle to authorities at Miami Beach. According to the court’s affidavit, the witness claimed she observed Kurtin “striking” a woman “and then grabbing her head and striking it against the dashboard of the vehicle.” “My partner and I were involved in a verbal argument that was never physical at any point,” Kurtin stated in the statement he released on early on Friday morning.
“I have apologized to her privately for my verbal actions, and we both moved on with our relationship positively.” Industry experts and investors expressed worries with the daily that this incident could be detrimental not only to the company. But also to the cannabis industry in general. Ascend Dispensary announced on Wednesday that Kurtin was to step down from the CEO position to become executive chair of the board. In his place, the Chief Financial Officer Daniel Neville and co-founder and President Frank Perullo will be co-CEOs while the company looks for the permanent CEO.
According to the September 6, arrest report, police eventually spoke to the Kurtin’s companion, who claimed she was involving. In a “verbal altercation” with him, “but that she was fine and nothing else happened”. The officers noticed “a small bump to the left side of her forehead” The woman claimed that it’s a pimple. According to the affidavit of arrest and a “small bump to the upper left eye”. In his letter in his statement to the Kurtin said: I am grateful to all the Miami Beach police. Who acted in a manner that was appropriate and performed their duties in the capacity of police. “Domestic violent acts are a serious issue in our society, and are not acceptable.
“Florida has implemented the most strict obligatory arrest laws in the nation, allowing the victims to protect. To be observant of the situation”. I appreciate the police officers once again for their unwavering dedication. To respecting the law and safeguard the lives of a lot of people. “Lastly, I’d be able to personally thank everyone who assisted me in navigating this difficult time. “I am profoundly grateful for those who supported me and were patient for the due process of law.”