LANSING -- Two Michigan State Police lieutenants are facing corruption charges, accused of running a criminal enterprise out of the Monroe state police narcotics investigations office, the state attorney general and state police director announced today.

Lt. Luke Davis, 48, of Monroe and Lt. Emmanuel Riopelle, 42, of Grosse Ile are accused of running a scheme to systematically embezzle property and money seized from suspects between March 2006 and December 2008.

An MSP search of Davis' home on Dec. 4, 2008 revealed stolen property, as well as vicodin, oxycotin, steroids, a wall covered with a large quantity of men's and women's jewelry, 30 designer purses, 22 cell phones, computers, televisions, motorcycles, and a golf cart, among other property.

Also charged in the scheme is a Monroe County resident, Lawrence Dusseau, 42,

"Pursuing charges against members of your own department for this type of criminal activity is an embarrassment, but there is no doubt it's the right thing to do," State Police Director Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue said today.

"The MSP does not tolerate criminal behavior, especially within its ranks, and the resulting 34 criminal counts filed today are evidence of this fact."

The alleged embezzlement was uncovered by the MSP following a Nov. 28, 2008 complaint from a suspect alleging Davis stole property from his home, Etue said.

That kicked off an investigation showing Davis developed a system of embezzling seized property from the OMNI unit he commanded, according to Etue.

MSP policy requires seized property to be sold at public auction, put to official use, or destroyed. However, in March 2006, Davis with the help of Riopelle and Dusseau, began diverting some property for his own use or giving it away rather than selling it at auction, Etue said.

She also alleges Davis used Dusseau as a "straw buyer" at the auctions, falsifying receipts to show Dusseau purchased the property at auction. Then Dusseau would later sell the property to a third party and then split the profits with Davis, Etue said.

Embezzled items included flat-screen televisions, designer purses, furniture, cell phones, automobiles and electronics, according to the allegations.

The defendants were arrested by the MSP last night, and charges were filed against them with the 1st District Court in Monroe today. Davis and Riopelle are on unpaid suspension.

Here are the charges described by Etue and Attorney General Bill Schuette in a 2 p.m. news conference:

Luke Davis - 24 Counts:

--One count of Conducting Criminal Enterprises (Racketeering), a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and/or a $100,000 fine;

--Thirteen counts of Embezzlement by a Public Official, a felony punishable by up to10 years in prison;

--Five counts of Misconduct in Office, a felony punishable by up to five years in prison;

--Three counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance, a felony punishable by up to two years in prison;

--One count of Use Tax violation, a felony punishable by up to five years in prison; and

- One count of Forgery, a felony punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

Emmanuel Riopelle - 11 Counts:

-- One count of conducting Criminal Enterprises (Racketeering), a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and/or a $100,000 fine;

--Three counts of Embezzlement by a Public Official, a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison;

--Four counts of Misconduct in Office, a felony punishable by up to five years in prison; and

--Three counts of Forgery, a felony punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

Lawrence Dusseau - 5 Counts:

-- One count of conducting Criminal Enterprises (Racketeering), a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and/or a $100,000 fine;

--Two counts of Use Tax violation, a felony punishable by up to five years in prison; and

-Two counts of Embezzlement by a Public Official, a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

E-mail Julie Hoogland: jhoogland@grpress.com and follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/JulieHoogland