A former Michigan State Police trooper is accused of embezzlement for allegedly pocketing over $170,000 in vehicle fees. Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette announced felony charges Wednesday against 31-year-old Seth Swanson after an investigation into salvage vehicle inspections.
Swanson served as a state-certified salvage vehicle inspector since 2011. A vehicle with a salvage title cannot be used on public roads until it's re-certified. Authorities claim Swanson forged Secretary of State documents guaranteeing a salvage vehicle has a clean title and allegedly pocketed the $100 fee from 1,701 inspections.
He was arraigned Wednesday and released on a $10,000 personal recognizance bond. It was immediately unclear if he has an attorney. His next court date hasn't been set.
Swanson was suspended without pay effective in February 2016. He resigned this week.