Troopers with fake diplomas keep their jobs

OLYMPIA, Wash. - Eight State Patrol troopers who used fake diplomas to earn pay raises are being allowed to return to their jobs despite an earlier recommendation that they be kicked off the force.

The State Patrol reversed itself Friday and decided to modify a recommendation from August that the troopers be fired.

Washington State Patrol Capt. Jeff DeVere said the eight troopers instead were each given a short suspension of three to 10 days, and that all will be returning to work.

The accused men are Sgt. Robert Brusseau, Sgt. Jason Linn, Trooper Gabriel Olson and Trooper Brian Ensley - all of Vancouver - along with Trooper Dennis Tardiff of Seattle, Sgt. Chris Sweet of Kelso, Trooper Spike Unruh and Trooper Dan Mann of Spokane.

An investigation supported allegations that they had used the bogus diplomas to earn pay raises of up to 4 percent, and termination was recommended for all of them in August.

But in the weeks since then, the employees were interviewed and gave clear information to determine there was no intention from the employees except an error in judgment, DeVere said. As a result the terminations were converted to short suspensions, he said.

DeVere did not say exactly when the troopers will be returning to work, but it's believed that some could be back on the job by early next week.

The State Patrol began investigating after federal agents shut down a diploma mill in Spokane that had awarded thousands of fake diplomas. The agency later said that the troopers did not receive their bogus degrees from the Spokane operation.

Troopers can boost their pay significantly with college diplomas - a 2-percent increase for a two-year degree and a 4-percent hike for a four-year degree.

Earlier this year prosecutors reviewed the findings of a criminal investigation and decided not to file criminal charges against the troopers.

"What wasn't passed around is, 'Hey, this is a good way to defraud our employer.' What was passed around was, 'Hey, this is away that we could qualify, perhaps, for this incentive,'" said Thurston County Chief Deputy Prosecutor Jon Tunheim.

Ten troopers and sergeants were originally accused in the case. Two - James Hotaling of Vancouver and John McMillan of Wenatchee - have resigned since.

Trooper Brian Ensley, left, and Trooper Dan Mann

Trooper Gabriel Olson, left, and Trooper Dennis Tardiff

Trooper Spike Unruh, left, and Sgt. Robert Brusseau

Sgt. Jason Linn, left, and Sgt. Chris Sweet