Michael Mosley, Bribery, Michigan 2019

A shocking example of corruption within the Detroit Police Department came to light yesterday as a veteran officer was charged with taking cash bribes from a drug trafficker. According to a federal indictment, Michael Mosley, a 47-year-old officer with nineteen years of service, accepted $15,000 in cash bribes in exchange for not pursuing criminal charges based on a three-kilogram drug seizure.

The indictment alleges that Mosley was part of a search of a drug trafficker's residence on April 3, 2019, where officers discovered two kilograms of heroin, one kilogram of cocaine, and six firearms. The drug trafficker then confessed to owning the three kilograms of drugs to Mosley and signed a confession.

Subsequent to the search, Mosley remained in contact with the drug trafficker in an effort to secure the trafficker's cooperation concerning other criminal activity. The indictment further alleges that the drug trafficker offered Mosley a cash bribe of $15,000 in exchange for not pursuing criminal charges based on the three-kilogram drug seizure. Mosley agreed to the deal and collected the money in two separate payments of $10,000 and $5,000.

The indictment charges Mosley with two counts of bribery, each carrying a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David A. Gardey.

”Although the vast majority of police officers in Michigan are fully dedicated to protecting the public, sometimes there is an infrequent example of an officer driven by corruption and greed,” stated United States Attorney Matthew Schneider.  ”I am thankful to Detroit Chief of Police James Craig for his commitment to combating corruption, so that the rare example of bribery does not overshadow the outstanding work of so many other great police officers.”

The investigation of this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. An indictment is only a charging document and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Michael Mosley, 47, of Detroit, is a nineteen-year veteran of the Detroit Police Department. He is facing charges of two counts of bribery, with a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.

The case is a disturbing example of the risks of corruption within law enforcement and highlights the importance of accountability and transparency in the justice system.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edmi/pr/detroit-police-officer-indicted-taking-15000-cash-bribes-drug-trafficker