Massachusetts State Police Troopers Charged in Bribery Scheme
Two current and two former Massachusetts State Police troopers have been charged in a scheme involving the acceptance of bribes in exchange for passing scores on commercial driving tests. The U.S. attorney’s office announced the charges, which include allegations of falsifying records and giving preferential treatment to drivers taking their commercial drivers license (CDL) test.
Accusations of Falsifying Records and Preferential Treatment
The troopers are accused of falsifying records and giving preferential treatment to at least 17 drivers between May 2019 and January 2023. Even when drivers failed a skills test, the troopers passed them and communicated their actions through text messages using the code word “golden.” The indictment reveals that some troopers even joked about how poorly a driver had performed on the test.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy stated, “In short, as alleged in this indictment, CDLs were for sale. Troopers were bribed with free goods to pass applicants no matter how they performed on the test.”
Troopers Arrested and Implicated
Sgt. Gary Cederquist, 58, of Stoughton, and Trooper Joel Rogers, 54, of Bridgewater were arrested on Tuesday. Retired state troopers Calvin Butner, 63, of Halifax, and Perry Mendes, 63, of Wareham were arrested in Florida on Monday. All four individuals face more than 70 counts on charges including conspiracy to falsify records, extortion, and making false statements.
Two others, Eric Mathison, 47, of Boston, and Scott Camara, 42, of Rehoboth, were also implicated in the scheme.
Cederquist, in addition to accepting bribes for passing drivers, is accused of helping four state troopers obtain commercial drivers licenses. He allegedly accepted a new driveway worth $10,000, a snowblower valued at $2,000, a $750 granite mailbox, and even requested a shed and plunge pool in exchange for passing drivers.
Concerns about the Integrity of the Licensing System
The allegations raise concerns about the integrity of the licensing system for commercial drivers in Massachusetts. The majority of individuals taking the test in the state fail, with a pass rate of only 41% in 2022. This scandal further highlights the need for reforms to ensure the certification process is fair and unbiased.
Since last year, the state police have implemented several reforms to the commercial drivers license unit. These include requiring examiners to wear body cameras during exams, increasing supervisor visits to training sites, and developing new training procedures and curriculum.
Reputation of Massachusetts State Police
The recent allegations are another blow to the reputation of the Massachusetts State Police. In a previous scandal, 46 current and retired troopers from the disbanded Troop E were implicated in a scheme involving overtime pay for shifts they did not work or complete. The troopers issued falsified traffic tickets to make it appear as if they had been on duty.
Despite these scandals, Acting United States Attorney Levy emphasized that the actions of a few should not tarnish the reputation of the entire institution. He stated, “Their actions, however, should not tarnish the reputation of an entire institution, especially for the overwhelming majority of public servants in the Massachusetts State Police and fire service who serve the citizens of our commonwealth day in and day out with pride, honor, and integrity.”
It is crucial to address these serious allegations of misconduct and ensure that the Massachusetts State Police upholds its values, character, and integrity in serving the public.
