Ryan had a gambling problem which got him into trouble on a number of occasions, especially in season 5. During an investigation involving a gambling cruise liner, Ryan's addiction resurfaces when Calleigh discovers a $100 note he paid her with is counterfeit and that he had placed bets on the cruise before. He is fired from the department after lying to Horatio regarding his relationship to a man to whom he owed $10,000 in poker debts. Yelina Salas, private investigator and former MDPD homicide detective, observes Ryan meeting the man in a secluded area to pay back the money. She brings her video evidence to Horatio, who confronts Ryan. At the end of the episode, Internal Affairs Sergeant Rick Stetler informs Ryan that he has been fired and orders him to leave the building.