MELVINDALE, Mich. (WXYZ) — Melvindale Police Sgt. Matthew Furman pled no contest to a charge of willful neglect of duty. A charge of assault and battery was dropped.
It is not the first time Furman has been accused of being heavy handed on the job.
A federal lawsuit was filed two years ago by former Melvindale Police Chief Chad Hayse that alleges he tried to hold Furman accountable and it cost him his job.
Hayse alleges Furman engaged in repeated acts of police brutality.
In the chief’s final year of employment, the city was in the final year of a debt elimination plan and Furman brought in incredibly high numbers of tickets and tows, making him a cash cow.
Hayse also alleges city officials hatched a plan to get rid of him and keep the heightened revenue.
We reached out to Melvindale Mayor Stacy Bazman. She did not respond.
The current Police Chief says Sgt. Furman is on paid leave and his future is undetermined.
