LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) — Michigan State Police (MSP) are cutting a $9.3 million check to end a lawsuit over a failed sex-crime investigation that wrongly targeted a former Detroit police officer.

The case centered on Sean MacMaster, who in 2019 was charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a minor after investigators allegedly falsified reports and sought warrants without probable cause. 

MORE NEWS: Banned From TikTok, Trump Activist Vows To Keep Heat on Dearborn

A federal jury soon found MSP Lt. David Busacca and former Assistant Attorney General Brian Kolodziej liable, issuing a $58 million verdict in August.

MacMaster was cleared later when prosecutors discovered Kolodziej—ultimately fired and disbarred—had engaged in a sexual relationship with a victim in another case, prompting Attorney General Dana Nessel to drop the charges.

MacMaster’s attorney said he offered to settle for $2 million before trial, but the state refused and ended up paying more than four times that amount.

 “They just couldn’t admit what happened,” attorney Josh Blanchard told The Detroit News. “So they doubled down, which is part of why we got a big verdict.”