Former Police Chief Charged Over $50,000 in Fake Overtime in Upland, PA
Former Upland Borough Police Chief Michael Irey faces multiple felony charges for allegedly claiming over $50,000 in overtime he never worked.
Ex-Upland Police Chief Accused of Claiming $50,000 in Unworked Overtime
Former Upland Borough Police Chief Michael Irey has been charged with multiple felonies after an investigation found he allegedly collected more than $50,000 for overtime and extra-duty assignments he never attended, according to 6abc.com.
The Delaware County District Attorney's Office announced the charges on Monday, stating that the probe began in December 2025 when a member of the Upland Borough Police Department contacted the district attorney's Special Investigations Unit.
Eight full-time officers had filed internal complaints alleging that Irey was submitting hours for assignments he did not work. Those assignments included school traffic details funded by a grant from the Chester Community Charter School, as well as overtime shifts connected to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
Officers grew suspicious after Irey was repeatedly absent from posts he had signed up for. A second round of complaints — seven anonymous submissions — was forwarded to the Criminal Investigations Division in January 2026 and had also been sent to Upland Borough Council.
Investigators reviewed overtime records, cellphone data, bank statements, timekeeping logs and license plate reader data. The inquiry determined that Irey had been paid for more than $50,000 worth of shifts he did not perform. Multiple officers reported spotting him at bars in and around Delaware County while he was on the clock, and license plate readers placed his borough-issued vehicle near several of those locations.
Irey now faces three counts each of theft by unlawful taking, tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, theft by deception, forgery involving an unauthorised act in writing, uttering a forged writing, and unsworn falsification to authorities. He also faces single counts of obstruction of justice and receiving stolen property.
An arrest warrant was issued on 5 November. Irey was taken into custody by police in New Jersey on local charges on 9 November and is awaiting extradition to Delaware County, the district attorney's office said.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with relevant information is asked to contact Sgt. Edward Rosen at 610-891-4700.
Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)