Lieutenant convicted in embezzlement scheme

Luke Davis pleads no contest; can no longer serve in law enforcement Attorney General Bill Schuette on Tuesday announced the conviction of Luke Davis, 50, of Monroe, former Michigan State police lieutenant, who pleaded no contest to one count of racketeering, a 20 year felony, before Monroe County's 38th Circuit Court Chief Judge Michael W. LaBeau. Davis' felony conviction will result in the permanent revocation of his MCOLES certification. "Law enforcement officials who abuse their position for personal gain dangerously undermine public safety for everyone," said Schuette. "No matter your title, if you break the law, there are consequences, and we will hold corrupt officials accountable." Davis was charged in February 2011 for coordinating an extensive scheme to systematically embezzle property and money seized from suspects from March 2006 to December 2008. Emmanuel Riopelle, former Michigan State Police Lt., 44, of Grosse Ile and Monroe County resident Lawrence Dusseau, 44, were also charged in February 2011 for their roles in the scheme. On March 26, Lawrence Dusseau pleaded guilty to two counts of Title Jumping to avoid the State Use Tax, a five-year felony. Dusseau's sentencing is set for May 30. Riopelle pleaded no contest to one count of Misconduct in Office, a five year felony, on May 13. He will be sentenced on July 11 before Judge LaBeau. Davis faces sentencing before Judge LaBeau on August 8. The alleged embezzlement was uncovered by the MSP following a Nov. 28, 2008 complaint from a suspect alleging Davis stole property from his home. An MSP search of Davis' home on Dec. 4, 2008 revealed the stolen property, as well as Vicodin, Oxycotin, steroids, a wall covered with a large quantity of men's and women's jewelry, 30 designer purses, 22 cell phones, computers, televisions, motorcycles, and a golf cart, among other property. Subsequent investigation revealed Davis allegedly developed a system of embezzling seized property from the OMNI unit he commanded. According to MSP policy, seized property is to be sold at public auction, put to official use, or destroyed. However, in March 2006, Davis with the help of Riopelle and Dusseau, began diverting some property for his own use or giving it away rather than selling it at auction. It is also alleged Davis used Dusseau as a "straw buyer" at the auctions, falsifying receipts to show Dusseau purchased the property at auction, but Dusseau would later sell the property to a third party and then split the profits with Davis. Embezzled items included flat-screen televisions, designer purses, furniture, cell phones, automobiles and electronics. Upon issuance of the charges, Davis and Riopelle were placed on unpaid suspension. Published: Thu, May 16, 2013