River Rouge, Michigan - Cop charged with larceny
Released on personal bond, president of police union is accused of stealing from group and trust fund.
Iveory Perkins. The Detroit News. 05/24/07.
RIVER ROUGE -- The Police Department will investigate one of its own after charges were brought against an officer who is accused of stealing from the police union and a trust fund set up for the family of a deceased officer.
Cpl. Todd Taylor, 37, of Flat Rock, who is president of the police union, was charged with two counts of embezzlement and two counts of larceny by conversion for allegedly taking $750 from a union account. He is accused of trying to cover that action up by taking the same amount from the trust fund.
He faces up to one year in jail and/or a $1,000 fine for each misdemeanor count.
Taylor, who has served 12 years on the force, was suspended without pay.
Despite the charges, Police Chief Robert Alderman praised Taylor.
"He was a very good officer and a hard worker," Alderman said. "This was only a one-time thing and was an isolated incident."
"I am not sticking up for him, but I really can't say anything bad about him as a person."
Alderman said Taylor turned himself into the Michigan State Police on Monday after learning there was a warrant for his arrest. Taylor allegedly deposited a $750 check from the union into his personal account. When another officer noticed the money missing, Taylor allegedly transferred the same amount from a trust fund named for deceased officer Greg Lada, Alderman said.
Union representatives declined to comment on the matter because the case is under investigation.
Alderman said the department will conduct an internal investigation once the judicial process is complete.
The police chief said Taylor eventually paid back the money to the trust fund.
Taylor was released on a personal bond after being arraigned Tuesday in 26th District Court before Judge Raymond Charron. Charron recused himself from hearing the case, saying Taylor has appeared before him as an officer in other cases.
As of Wednesday, Taylor hadn't retained an attorney for his defense.
You can reach Iveory Perkins at (734) 462-2672 or iveory.perkins@detnews.com.
Retrieved May 29, 2007 from http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070524/METRO01/705240334