A Richfield police officer pleaded guilty Wednesday to stealing from the Shop With A Cop program that he helped create.
Under an agreement with prosecutors, Michael Simmons, 42, of Stow, pleaded guilty in Summit County Common Pleas Court to a lesser charge of grand theft, a fourth-degree felony. Prosecutors are recommending that he receive probation and pay restitution, with the amount to be determined before or during a hearing and sentencing at 9 a.m. Dec. 1. Simmons could face 18 months in prison.
Judge Alison McCarty ordered a pre-sentence investigation and victim-impact statement from Richfield Police Chief Keith Morgan. McCarty asked Simmons if he realized that pleading guilty could put his job in jeopardy and he said he was aware of this.
Simmons is on leave without pay. He was charged with a felony count of theft in office in May. Investigators say he stole more than $25,000 from the program he helped start in 2002.
Mark Guidetti, Simmons’ attorney from Cleveland, said his client has been an officer for 20 years and has no previous criminal history or disciplinary problems.
“We look forward to working with the prosecutor to resolve the restitution amount,” Guidetti said.
Shop with A Cop is a regional program aimed at helping low-income children bond with law enforcement by taking them on a shopping trip for Christmas.
Morgan asked for help from the state’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation in January after becoming aware of unauthorized financial transactions in the department’s Shop With A Cop account.
State investigators say Simmons, who was the coordinator of the program, improperly spent $26,709 in program funds from 2010 to 2016. They say he bought sporting-event tickets, electronics, clothing, tools and gift cards for his personal use.
The Richfield Police Department will decide whether Simmons should continue as an officer.
Morgan, who was in court Wednesday, said he plans to meet with Simmons in the near future.
“We’ll make a decision then,” he said.
As for the Shop With A Cop program, Morgan said there has been discussion of reorganizing it and involving several local departments. He said a Fairlawn police officer is now in charge and plans are in the works for this Christmas.
In recent years, police officers from up to 30 area police departments have assembled in mid-December in Stow, creating a procession of wailing sirens and flashing lights as they give the children a ride to a local Wal-Mart. Up to 300 children participate annually, with each receiving a $110 gift card to spend as he or she likes.
In some cases, police officers spend the better part of a year holding fundraisers and collecting donations to fund the children they will sponsor. They also typically donate their time the day of the event.
“I hope to see the program continue,” Morgan said. “I think it’s worthwhile.”
Stephanie Warsmith can be reached at 330-996-3705, swarsmith@thebeaconjournal.com or on Twitter: @swarsmithabj .