Ex-State Cop Gets a Year for Stealing $170,000

Seth Swanson

An ex-Michigan State Trooper is headed to jail.

Seth Swanson, 31,  Royal Oak, was sentenced Tuesday in Oakland County Circuit Court to one year in jail and five years probation for embezzling more than $170,000 in salvage inspection fees over an 18-month period, the Michigan Attorney General's Office announced.  He must also pay $170,000 in restitution.

“Public Officials are entrusted with great responsibility and this former officer took advantage of that for personal financial gain,” said Attorney General Bill Schuette in a statement. “Today’s sentencing shows even those who are trusted to uphold the law are not above it."

Between August 2014 and December 2015, Swanson, then a state trooper and a state-certified salvage vehicle inspector, falsified Michigan Secretary of State forms. Those documents allowed someone to get a clean title of ownership for the wrecked car, which is required by law.

Instead of turning the money over to the Michigan State Police, he pocketed the $170,000.