MSP says Fraser officers did nothing criminal when using degrees bought online to get pay raises

FRASER (WXYZ) - Fraser police officers did not commit a crime when they turned in degrees they bought online to get pay raises, according to a report from the Michigan State Police, which investigated a complaint about the officers.

A 7 Action News investigation exposed how a dozen Fraser police officers bought college degrees from Almeda University in the Caribbean, making them eligible for extra pay under their union contract.

From 2002 to 2007, the officers received between $1,500 and $2,900 a year in addition to their base compensation. But the officers will no longer receive the addtiional pay, says Fraser City Manager Rich Haberman, who has estimated that the city has paid  about $100,000 in educational bonuses to the 12 officers since 2003.

But it was Fraser Mayor Doug Hagerty requested an outside investigation of the officers and their degrees.

“We asked for a third party to come in and now we have their report and conclusion,” Hagerty said.

The Michigan State Police report which was submitted by Detective Sgt. Twana Powell says “…there may be some civil liability on the officers' part, however, no criminal element has been identified.”  It also says, "...due to a lack of a criminal element, no warrant request will be forwarded to the Michigan Attorney General’s Office."

  READ THE REPORT BELOW

Fraser Police Msp Report