EAST CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Mayor Lateek R. Shabazz today announced the termination of Sergeant Todd Carroscia from the East Cleveland Police Department.
The firing came after an investigation led to extensive findings of fraud, falsification, insubordination, and unlawful service over nearly two decades, according to Mayor Shabazz.
The termination is effective immediately.
The city’s investigation found multiple violations that included the following:
- Fraudulent FMLA and workers’ compensation claims tied to an off‑duty injury that was misrepresented as a city workplace injury, according to Mayor Shabazz.
- Refusal to comply with medical examination requirements and unauthorized return to duty.
- Unlawful appointment and service since 2008, including impersonating a peace officer without a valid civil-service examination or OPOTA certification.
- Submission of fraudulent training records and failure to meet mandatory continuing professional training requirements.
- Supervisory misconduct, including providing false training information to subordinate officers, resulting in unlawful arrests and public safety risks.
- Inappropriate conduct, including sexually explicit text messages sent to female employees, which led to harassment complaints.
Mayor Shabazz said Carroscia’s unlawful service has caused significant financial, operational and reputational harm to the city, including a $12 million lawsuit judgment from a 2008 crash…