Massachusetts State Police CDL Scandal

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Overview

Starting in August 2018, several Massachusetts State Police officers who worked in the Commercial Driver Licensing (CDL) Unit issued licenses in exchange for bribes. Applicants were either unqualified or did not complete the required testing.[1]

The officers approved some applicants who they described as "a mess", "an idiot", or having "no idea what he is doing".[2]

Sergeant Gary Cederquist, and troopers Joel Rogers, Calvin Butner, and Perry Mendes were involved in the scheme.[3]

Cederquist received a range of bribes, including landscaping services, a new driveway worth over $10,000, a snow blower worth nearly $2,000, a storage shed, a plunge pool, and a $750 mailbox.[3][1]

The officers texted each other, discussing getting landscaping services, clothing, recliners, and a flat screen television. One of their contacts, who brought drivers to be tested, kept the officers stocked with beverages and snacks from his business.[3]

In 2021, Mendes retired.[2]

In 2022, Butner retired.[2]

On January 30, 2024, the United States Attorney's Office charged the officers and 2 civilians with a range of charges[3], including:

Cederquist
three counts of conspiracy to falsify records, three counts of conspiracy to commit extortion, two counts of extortion, one count of mail fraud, 22 counts of falsification of records, and 20 counts of false statements
Butner
one count of conspiracy to falsify records, one count of conspiracy to commit extortion, 9 counts of falsification of records, and 8 counts of false statements
Mendes
one count of conspiracy to falsify records, one count of conspiracy to commit extortion, three counts of falsification of records, and two counts of false statements
Rogers
one count of conspiracy to falsify records and one count of conspiracy to commit extortion

On January 31, 2024, Cederquist and Rogers were suspended without pay.[1]

On February 1, 2024, Cederquist retired and received a dishonorable discharge from the department.[1]

On February 6, 2024, Rogers retired and received a dishonorable discharge from the department.[1]

Officers Involved


References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Russ Reed, Second Massachusetts State Police trooper dishonorably discharged in wake of CDL scandal, WCVB, 2024-02-06
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Veronica Hayes, Troopers indicted in CDL license scheme suspended without pay, Massachusetts State Police say, WCVB, 2024-01-31
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 USA v. Cederquist, et al, U.S. Department of Justice, 2024-01-30

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