Ex-Baltimore police sergeant sentenced for time fraud scheme

A former Baltimore Police sergeant, Mark Rutkowski, was sentenced Monday to six months with the entire sentence suspended after pleading guilty to misconduct in office and theft, according to FOX45 Baltimore.

Baltimore City Circuit Judge Anthony Vittoria described Rutkowski's actions as a breach of public trust, highlighting the impact on city residents and taxpayers, FOX45 Baltimore reported.

Rutkowski resigned from the homicide unit following his guilty plea. An internal audit in 2024 flagged irregularities in his timekeeping, leading to an investigation that uncovered Rutkowski routinely clocking in and out early or late and receiving unauthorized overtime, The Baltimore Banner stated.

Prosecutors said Rutkowski also used a colleague’s computer credentials to cancel his days off and grant himself extra penalty pay, which is additional compensation officers receive when called into work during canceled leave, The Baltimore Banner reported.

Rutkowski, who worked for the Baltimore Police Department for 25 years, accepted responsibility, paid full restitution, and resigned from the department, according to his attorney quoted by The Baltimore Banner.

The case was prosecuted by the Public Trust and Police Integrity Unit of the Baltimore State’s Attorney’s Office, as reported by The Baltimore Banner.