Ex-Michigan Police Lieutenant Pleads Guilty to Falsifying Salvage Vehicle Inspections

A former Lincoln Township, Michigan Police Department Detective Lieutenant has pled no contest to falsifying salvage vehicle inspections, announced Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.

Johnathan Chase, 54, of Stevensville, pled to one count of Misconduct in Office and one count of False Certification.

“We trust law enforcement to protect our communities, not misuse their authority,” said Attorney General Nessel. “By falsifying these inspections, this officer put unverified vehicles on our roads and jeopardized public safety. I am proud of the FORCE Team and the Michigan State Police for securing this conviction and holding him accountable.”

Salvage vehicle inspections are conducted to ensure that vehicles extensively damaged or reconstructed with parts from other sources are safe and that their components are not traced to stolen vehicles. Officers performing these inspections must certify the origin of all parts. Chase, who was the sole officer responsible for salvage vehicle certifications within the Lincoln Township Police Department, submitted multiple falsified salvage inspection forms to the Michigan Department of State.

Source: Michigan Department of Attorney General