PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Nine current and former Philadelphia police officers are facing criminal charges for allegedly accepting payments from a youth mentorship program while also collecting city paychecks, sometimes during their scheduled shifts.
The officers, most of whom served in the city’s 22nd District, are accused of receiving funds from “Guns Down, Gloves Up,” a grant-funded youth boxing initiative created coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic to provide a safe and positive outlet for local children.
Five of the officers are active duty, while four other officers retired or left the department before charges were filed.
Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel has suspended the active-duty officers for 30 days with the intent to dismiss them following the criminal charges.
The active-duty officers facing dismissal are: Officer Brittanie Crockett, Officer Daniel Moll, Officer Janae McDonald, Officer Mark DiGenio and Officer Michael Minor. Each is charged with conspiracy, theft, and receiving stolen property.
The four former officers facing similar charges are: Capt. Nashid Akil, Police Officer George Gee, Police Officer Robyn Gee and Police Officer LaCarmela Fortune.
Action News spoke exclusively with Dwayne Fletcher, founder of Guns Down, Gloves Up, who had been in partnership with the officers.
“Today was a good and a bad,” Fletcher said. “The good was we put a stop to the crookedness with the cops stealing people’s brands, then misusing it and damaging it. The bad thing is a lot of people can’t tell when you say, guns down, gloves up, is different platforms.”
Commissioner Bethel called the situation “deeply troubling,” adding, “all Philadelphia police officers are expected to maintain the highest level of professional and ethical standards. However, I am particularly disappointed by the involvement of a former commanding officer.”
The police department said the investigation began in 2023. The active-duty officers had been placed on administrative duty since then, but with criminal charges now filed, they are set to be terminated.
The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office is handling the criminal proceedings.
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