A police officer is hired to protect and serve as well as follow the laws of the state of Michigan but one officer thought it was ok to commit fraud.

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Sports Card Trading is Big Business

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As long as there have been sports cards there have always been people who find a way to break the law.

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Trancendental Graphics/Getty Images
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From fake autographs to counterfeit cards, it is amazing what people will do to try and make a fast buck.

Minas Panagiotakis/NHLI via Getty Images
Minas Panagiotakis/NHLI via Getty Images
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It is even more troublesome when someone who is supposed to uphold the law, breaks the laws everyone else is supposed to follow.

What is Retail Fraud?

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Retail fraud is a blanket name for a variety of criminal activity by a person who engages in activity to steal property from a merchant by taking it without paying for it. Concealing property with an intent to steal, and finally altering labels or price tags on merchandise.

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Rattankun Thongbun/ThinkStock/GettyStock
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The penalty for retail fraud in Michigan is up to 5 years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine. The fine can also be 3 times the value of the difference in price, property stolen, or money/property obtained, whichever is greater.

Michigan Police Officer Charged With Retail Fraud

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Olivier Le Moal/ThinkStock/GettyStock
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Unfortunately, the long arm of the law will have to reach out to one of their own who is accused of retail fraud.

Lansing Police Department
Lansing Police Department
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According to WOOD, Lansing police officer Gregory Tracy is facing one count of first-degree retail fraud and one count of organized retail fraud. Tracy was switching the prices of sports cards and then reselling them at a profit.

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Jeff Kowalsky/AFP via Getty Images
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Tracy allegedly did the price swapping 65 times at Meijer locations in 6 different counties in Michigan which has cost the store over $10,000.

Currently, Tracy is on paid administrative leave until the investigation is complete.

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Peek Inside the "Apple Store of Trading Cards" in Wappingers Falls

Piece of the Game is now open on Route 9 in the Village of Wappingers. Take a look inside this state-of-the-art trading card and sports collectible store.

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