News Summary
Eric Mathison, a former Massachusetts State Police sergeant, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit extortion within a bribery scheme involving commercial driver’s licenses. Federal prosecutors seek a two-year prison sentence as the case unveils serious public safety concerns due to unqualified drivers receiving CDL licenses. Support letters from retired officers highlight Mathison’s community role amidst his past criminal record, raising questions about recidivism and sentencing outcomes.
Boston – Eric Mathison, 48, a former Massachusetts State Police sergeant, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit extortion in connection with a widespread bribery scheme involving commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs). Federal prosecutors are recommending a two-year prison sentence for Mathison, who participated in an illicit operation where state troopers issued false passing scores to unqualified CDL applicants in exchange for bribes.
The bribery scheme is noted for its implications not only on the individuals directly involved but also on public safety, as it allowed unqualified drivers to operate commercial vehicles. In the case of Mathison, his guilty plea comes amid a rising concern for recidivism given his serious criminal history, which includes multiple arrests and convictions for impersonating police officers.
Letters of support from retired Boston Police officers have begun to surface ahead of Mathison’s federal sentencing. These letters speak to his character and personal transformation. Retired officers have emphasized his dedication to family and community, as well as his responsibilities as the primary caretaker for his elderly parents. His father suffers from several chronic health issues, including congestive heart failure, while his mother battles diabetes, high blood pressure, and dementia.
In the structure of the bribery scheme, troopers were alleged to have given false passing scores to CDL applicants who had either failed the tests or taken incomplete tests. Specifically, the scheme involved delivering truckloads of bottled water and food items to Gary Cederquist, a former sergeant who oversaw the Massachusetts State Police’s CDL Unit. In exchange for these bribes, Cederquist facilitated the issuance of passing scores to applicants linked to Mathison, including those who had never taken the skills test.
The indictment against Mathison details a range of benefits exchanged for these scores. In addition to the items delivered to Cederquist, the scheme included services such as driveway repaving and other gifts aimed at gaining favor within the MSP. The actions of Mathison and others involved in the scheme have led to significant consequences, including the revocation of licenses for more than two dozen CDL holders, who will now be required to retake the full testing process.
Multiple former troopers have also faced charges, with several pleading guilty or entering deferred prosecution agreements related to the scheme. The scandal has highlighted serious concerns regarding the internal culture of corruption within the MSP’s CDL unit, culminating in the dishonorable discharge of Cederquist.
The sentencing for Mathison is a prominent development in an ongoing investigation that has cast a shadow over the integrity of the Massachusetts State Police and has raised alarms about public safety. The case serves as a reminder of the risks posed to the community by allowing unqualified drivers behind the wheel of commercial vehicles.
As federal prosecutors prepare for Mathison’s upcoming sentencing, his defense attorney is advocating for probation instead of incarceration, arguing that Mathison’s familial responsibilities should be taken into account. However, with concerns regarding Mathison’s previous criminal behavior and the nature of the bribery scheme, the outcome remains uncertain as the legal proceedings continue.
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Additional Resources
- Boston Herald
- Wikipedia: Bribery in the United States
- NBC Boston
- Google Search: bribery safety commercial drivers licenses
- MassLive
- Google Scholar: bribery scheme CDL licenses
- Boston Globe
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Bribery
- Boston 25 News
- Google News: Massachusetts State Police CDL scandal
