Warren police officer accused of stealing $26,000 in false overtime

WARREN, Mich. (WJBK) - A Warren police officer was criminally charged after prosecutors accuse him of fudging his overtime.

Ryan Pylak is accused of raking in more than $26,000 in money he didn't earn.
    
"We are somewhat embarrassed over this," said Warren Police Commissioner Bill Dwyer. "He's embarrassed every member of this department."

It was a disappointing day for Warren police Wednesday as Pylak, a 15-year veteran officer stood accused of embezzling thousands from the city.

"He violated the trust of the men and women of this department and the city and the public at large," Dwyer said.
 
Pylak is charged with a misdemeanor obtaining money under false pretenses between $200 and a thousand dollars.

Judge: "How do you plea to the charge?"

"No contest," Pylak said.

Warren police say Pylak, 41, who began his career as a patrol officer in 2003, later began doing undercover work and working for the DEA.

"He was a great officer, unfortunately there's no excuse for what he did," Dwyer said.

Pylak is accused of embezzling more than $26,000 in six months. Sources say Pylak lied about his amount of overtime and at times, would be at home putting in for 10 to 12 hours of overtime. 

Sources say Pylak falsified his overtime from April to October of 2017. That's when Warren police discovered the issue, putting Pylak on desk duty as they launched an investigation.

"It was an internal investigation initially," Dwyer said. "And we felt it was only right to have an independent investigation. We felt there was enough there that there was criminal action on his part."

The Macomb County Sheriff's Office took over the investigation, handing over its findings two months later. That December Pylak was put on unpaid leave.

"He did resign today as a Warren police officer as part of an agreement made," Dwyer said.

Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith said the misdemeanor plea had been agreed upon because the main goal was to get the money back. 

Pylak was sentenced to one-year, non-reporting probation handing over a check Wednesday for $20,000.

"Mr. Pylak has gotten every penny he could for purposes of paying restitution today, which he has done," said his defense lawyer Jeff Cojocar.

Cojocar told FOX 2 that the father of four acknowledged some wrongdoing, but not nearly what he is accused of - adding that the now former cop, is remorseful.

"But it's too late," Dwyer said. "He's going to have to pay the price. no one is above the law."