Law enforcement members – a sergeant, officer, and former officer – were arrested in Florida after an investigation into overtime abuse.
T.K. Waters, the sheriff of Jacksonville, recently stated that Sergeant Michael Rourke, Officer Christopher Sosa, and former officer Dylan Bostick had been arrested for grand theft, organized fraud, and official misconduct.
Rourke and Sosa were suspended, and Bostick resigned from the Sheriff’s Office. JSO confirmed that it would seek to terminate Rourke and Sosa.
The JSO’s Integrity Unit learned that Christian Masden, whose arrest had already been published, knowingly submitted fake overtime claims and obtained remuneration for traffic enforcement work he did not execute. This prompted a bigger probe into overpayments made to Motor Unit officers for traffic duties. Rourke, Sosa, and Bostick all filed fraudulent claims for remuneration for overtime traffic assignments.
Rourke received over $4,600 in public funds. Sosa received over $10,700 in public funds. Bostick received over $18,000 in public funds. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office stated that their actions suggest a deliberate, persistent course of criminal behavior, rather than an administrative error or isolated action.
“No one is above the law, and our officers and employees will be held to the highest standards, which the public deserves,” the Jacksonville Sheriff’s office stated.
Detectives from the JSO Integrity Unit do not anticipate any future arrests for traffic overtime misconduct.