Just this past week (two current and former) Massachusetts State Police Officers were charged (along with their co-conspirators) in an alleged Bribery Conspiracy scandal where MA State Troopers were accused of falsifying records and giving passing scores for CDL applicants taking commercial driving tests in exchange for bribes.
These Massachusetts state police troopers (current and former) along with their alleged co-conspirators have been indicted on counts ranging from conspiracy to falsify records, conspiracy to commit extortion, extortion, false statements and perjury.
Gary Cederquist, 58, of Stoughton
Calvin Butner, 63, of Halifax
Perry Mendes, 63, of Wareham
Joel Rogers, 54, of Bridgewater
Scott Camara, 42, of Rehoboth
Eric Mathison, 47, of Boston
It is alleged that Cederquist conspired with friends Camara and Mathison. Camara worked for a truck-driving school in Brockton while Mathison, who worked for a spring water company that needed drivers with Commercial Drivers Licenses.
Massachusetts State Police Sergeant Cederquist was the officer in charge of the CDL Unit, of which Trooper Rogers and retired Troopers Butner and Mendes were members. The unit is in charge of administering the tests which are complex and challenging tests designed to maintain safety on Massachusetts Highways.
The officers allegedly used the term “golden” as a code word for those who would receive passing grades on the test regardless of their performance, and the officers allegedly received bribes in exchange for passing unqualified applicants.
What is Bribery?
Bribery is a serious crime and is a felony. If you have been accused of bribery or received a target letter from a federal agency then you need a serious federal Boston Bribery Attorney to defend the charges.
Bribery involves giving money or gifts or some item of value in order to influence the recipient of the gift. Bribery is a crime for both the person offering the bribe and for the person soliciting or receiving the bribe. Bribery involves more than giving a gift, and requires a “quid pro quo” relationship,” meaning “something for something,” where the money or gift is contingent upon some beneficial treatment for the person offering the bribe. There are special consequences and stiffer fees for public officials who can be barred from serving the public, if convicted.
These conspiracy charges carry severe penalties including sentences up to 20 years in prison and fines up to $250,000. Don’t hesitate in the face of these serious charges. The laws and defenses involving bribery of a public official or commercial bribery can be very complicated. At Dhar Law, LLP, our committed bribery lawyers in Boston have decades of experience representing clients facing bribery investigations or criminal bribery charges. If you become aware of a bribery investigation, learn of criminal bribery charges, or have any questions about bribery of a public official or commercial bribery, please contact our offices or text us today at 617-880-6155 for a free consultation.
