MSP: money missing from Muskegon Hts PD

MUSKEGON HEIGHTS, Mich. (WOOD) - The investigation at the Muskegon Heights Police Department involves money that is missing from the property room inside the department's building.

The Michigan State Police confirmed the reason for the investigation Wednesday.

It began in March 2010 when then-acting Police Chief Ron Rake asked the MSP to look into possible discrepancies into money received by the Muskegon Heights Police Department.

Rake has since resigned.

When the investigation is complete, the case will be turned over to the Muskegon County prosecutor's office to determine if criminal charges are warranted.

The evidence room in the basement of the department building is a huge mess.

"I was shocked at the disarray of that room and certainly the lack of standards -- and that is something the state police will be analyzing," Prosecutor Tony Tague said.

Police have been probing the department for about a month now and say that in addition to the mess, it's what they didn't find that is concerning. Money taken as evidence -- some of which may have belonged to crime victims -- is nowhere to be found.

City Manager Natasha Henderson declined comment about the investigation Tuesday, as did Mayor Darrell Paige.

"I don't have time for an interview, I have a (9 a.m.) appointment," Henderson said.

On Wednesday, 24 Hour News 8 attempted to talk with Paige at his job as dean of Muskegon Heights Public Schools, but school staff asked us to leave.

No officers have been placed on leave or are being disciplined at this time, the interim police chief and Tague said.

Watch the video for more.