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Former Parma police officer has entered into a diversion program after pleaded guilty to charges.

(File photo)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A former Parma police officer has entered into a court diversion program after lying to gaming agents at Jack Casino in Cleveland.

Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Judge Timothy McCormick accepted Michael Yonek into the program Tuesday, court documents say.

Yonek pleaded guilty to charges of identity fraud and obstructing justice, according to Ryan Miday, communications director for County Prosecutor Michael O'Malley. He was given a $1,000 personal bond, documents say.

The plea is being held in abeyance pending successful completion of the program. If he successfully completes it, he could clear his record. If he doesn't complete it, he could potentially face jail time, Miday said.

Part of Yonek's plea requires him to perform 250 hours of community service and he is forbidden from working in law enforcement in Ohio, Miday said. Yonek resigned from his position in February. He started with the department in August 1997.

Yonek could be released from the diversion program if he completes the community service prior to the one-year mark, Miday said.

Yonek's girlfriend, Sandra Niermeyer, 31, was indicted Dec. 20, 2016 on charges of identity fraud, forgery, forging identification cards and tampering with records.

She pleaded guilty April 12 to forgery and forging identification cards as part of a plea agreement. Charges of identity fraud and tampering with records were dropped, court records show. She is scheduled to be sentenced at 8:30 a.m. May 10, records say.

Niermeyer and Yonek were at Jack Casino Nov. 18, 2016 and gave false information to casino officials after they tried to cash in their winnings, gaming investigators said.

Niermeyer asked a casino employee if she could cash in the winnings in Yonek's name, which the employee denied.

Investigators found discrepancies between Niermeyer's statements and the driver's license she gave to casino officials, according to a report from investigators. She also provided a Social Security number that did not belong to her, the report says.

Agents noticed Yonek also referred to her as Danielle. Another woman approached the group and called her "Sandy," reports say.

Niermeyer grew hostile when agents said they needed to hold her until they confirmed her identity, the report says.

When Cleveland police asked what her name was, she said Danielle Dobeck, but refused to give her Social Security number. She eventually gave her correct name.

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