OSAKA (TR) – Osaka Prefectural Police on Thursday announced the disciplinary dismissal of a 52-year-old police lieutenant who stole over 10 million yen in cash while investigating the scene of an unnatural death, reports the Asahi Shimbun (May 14).
Shin Goto, a violent crime section chief at the Minami-Sakai Police Station, admitted to the allegations, telling investigators he needed the money to cover millions of yen in secret debts racked up from buying a used car, playing golf, and dining out.
The theft occurred in March. Goto was dispatched to an apartment in Sakai City’s Minami Ward after the lifeless body of a man in his 70s was discovered inside. While searching the room, Goto spotted 10.11 million yen in cash hidden beneath a cloth resting on top of a safe.
When his partner briefly stepped away to transport evidence, Goto seized the opportunity, stuffing the bundles of cash into his own bag.
Following his arrest and subsequent indictment for the embezzlement of lost property, Goto told investigators, “I just yielded to temptation.”
“I have caused enormous trouble and betrayed [the public] through the crime I committed,” Goto said in a statement of remorse. “I will live the rest of my life with a feeling of atonement so as never to damage trust again.”
Shin Goto (X)Cash returned
The stolen cash has since been recovered and returned to the deceased man’s bereaved family.
The case came to light following a tip-off in June of last year alleging that Goto was pocketing cash at death scenes. Given his role as an on-scene commander frequently dispatched to investigate corpses, police probed the possibility of repeated offenses.
However, Goto insisted he “didn’t do it anywhere else.” With no eyewitnesses among his colleagues and no further missing property reports, investigators concluded they could only confirm this single incident.
Kazuyuki Nishikawa, head of the prefectural police’s inspection office, condemned the disgraced officer’s actions. “This is absolutely inexcusable behavior for a police officer, and we have dealt with it strictly. We will thoroughly enforce ethical guidance for all personnel to ensure this does not happen again.”
AloJapan.com