News Summary
Gary Cederquist, a former Massachusetts state police sergeant, has been convicted on multiple charges related to a bribery scheme that compromised the integrity of the commercial driver’s license testing process. Working with fellow officers and civilians, he granted passing scores to failed applicants, accepting various bribes in exchange. This case has raised alarms over public safety and called for significant reforms in the CDL testing system, as the Massachusetts State Police faces scrutiny due to previous scandals.
Stoughton, MA – Gary Cederquist, a 59-year-old former Massachusetts state police sergeant, was found guilty of participating in a bribery scheme that subverted the commercial driving test process. Convicted on nearly 50 charges, including two counts of conspiracy to commit extortion and six counts of honest services mail fraud, Cederquist’s actions have raised significant concerns about the integrity of Massachusetts’ commercial driver’s license (CDL) testing system.
Between May 2019 and January 2023, Cederquist, alongside three fellow troopers and two civilians, engaged in unethical practices that resulted in issuing passing scores to at least 17 applicants who had actually failed their skills tests. As part of the scheme, Cederquist accepted a variety of bribes, including a $10,000 new driveway, a $2,000 snowblower, and a $750 granite mailbox, showcasing the extent of his corruption.
Evidence presented during the trial indicated that Cederquist and his colleagues used the code word “golden” in their text messages to signal when a passing score was granted. Testimony revealed troubling exchanges in which troopers joked about drivers who performed poorly on tests, further emphasizing the lax oversight and dishonest communication among officers involved in the scheme. Out of the six individuals charged, four have already pleaded guilty and await sentencing, while Cederquist opted for a trial, resulting in his conviction.
U.S. Attorney Leah Foley criticized Cederquist’s actions, highlighting the dangers posed to public safety when individuals in positions of authority choose greed over their responsibilities. With the potential for each of Cederquist’s charges to bring sentences of up to 20 years in prison, he is scheduled for sentencing on July 24. Following his conviction, Cederquist was dishonorably discharged from the Massachusetts state police last year.
This scandal has prompted widespread concern regarding the current state of the CDL testing system in Massachusetts, which recorded a notably low pass rate of just 41% in 2022. It further adds to the ongoing turmoil within the Massachusetts State Police, which has faced previous scandals, including overtime fraud involving 46 current and former troopers.
In response to this incident, reforms are being implemented in the CDL unit, such as the requirement for body cameras during tests and increased unannounced supervisory visits to ensure compliance with ethical standards. This case is particularly alarming in light of past incidents, where improperly qualified drivers, such as Volodymyr Zhukovskyy, were involved in fatal accidents, drawing attention to the critical nature of rigorous licensing processes.
Prosecutors have noted that the text messages and testimonies from this case will play a vital role in illustrating the preferential treatment extended by Cederquist to other troopers and their connections, further highlighting the systemic issues that need to be addressed within the Massachusetts State Police. The outcome of this trial serves not only to hold an individual accountable but also to shine a light on the larger implications of corruption within public safety and licensing protocols.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- NBC Boston
- Boston Herald
- ABC News
- Wikipedia: Criminal Corruption
- Boston Globe
- Google Search: Massachusetts State Police scandal
- WCVB
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Corruption
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