Police detective charged with embezzling public asset forfeiture funds

A joint law enforcement operation has resulted in multiple felony charges filed against a Hazel Park police detective who is accused of conducting a criminal enterprise and embezzling more than $65,000 in public asset forfeiture funds.

Sean Boucher, 45, of Warren, is scheduled to be arraigned at 10 a.m. today in Oakland County’s 43rd District Court in Ferndale on the following charges:

• Conducting a criminal enterprise, a felony punishable by 20 years’ imprisonment and/or $100,000.

• Embezzlement of between $50,000 and $100,0000, a felony punishable by 15 years’ imprisonment and/or $25,000, or three times the amount embezzled, whichever is greater.

• Five counts of embezzlement by a public official of more than $50, a 10-year felony or $5,000.

Boucher turned himself in to police Wednesday morning at the Michigan State Police North Metro Post in Oak Park. 

Following an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Detroit Area Public Corruption Task Force, the case was presented to the Michigan Department of Attorney General for prosecution.

“This joint operation is an excellent example of law enforcement working together to serve in the public’s best interest,” Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said. “As a member of law enforcement, you pledge your professional life to the service of others, which is grounded in trust with the community in which an officer serves. My office is committed to rebuilding and upholding the public’s trust in government and law enforcement, and I will go to great lengths to root out corruption and misuse of authority in pursuit of justice.”

Michigan law provides for the seizure of funds and property that were used during or derived from criminal activity. The public asset forfeiture funds are used to support law enforcement operations through training, equipment and other resources.

Authorities allege Boucher embezzled about $68,000 for his own personal use over the course of several incidents between 2013 and 2017.

“Mr. Boucher allegedly stole from the city of Hazel Park and its citizens, depriving them of needed projects and public services,” said Timothy Waters, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Detroit Field Office. “Make no mistake, any public servant who exploits his position of trust to enrich himself will be held accountable.”

Boucher was placed on administrative leave Sept. 11, 2017 by the Hazel Park Police Department and suspended the following day. He resigned Sept. 15, 2017. 

“We would like to thank the FBI Detroit Area Public Corruption Task Force for investigating these crimes,” said Police Chief Brian Buchholz of the Hazel Park Police Department. “The residents of Hazel Park put their trust in the defendant to uphold the law, and that trust was broken. These charges should in no way be a reflection of the members of this department who serve this city with honor and integrity every day.”

Future court dates in Boucher’s case will be scheduled following his arraignment.

The fair and unbiased prosecution of crimes committed by law enforcement and elected and other public officials remains a top priority for Nessel, who has made public integrity a focus throughout her term as attorney general. Boucher’s case is just one of several involving public officials and members of law enforcement that Nessel’s office has prosecuted due to the nature of the crimes or requests from other agencies and prosecutors to avoid conflicts of interest.