Federal investigators have charged two current and two former Massachusetts State Police (MSP) troopers, along with two others, in connection with a fraudulent commercial driver’s license (CDL) scheme. The indictment alleges that the six individuals engaged in favor trading to secure passing scores for specific CDL applicants.
Members of the MSP’s Commercial Driver’s Licensing unit, including Sgt. Gary Cederquist and Trooper Joel Rogers, were arrested, as were retired troopers Calvin Butner and Perry Mendes. Additionally, two individuals identified as friends of Sgt. Gary Cederquist, Scott Camara and Eric Mathison, were also arrested.
Court documents reveal that Camara worked for a truck-driving school, while Mathison was employed by a spring water company. Another individual, referred to as the “friend conspirator,” worked for a construction management firm.
During a press conference, Acting U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Joshua Levy emphasized the defendants’ alleged disregard for public safety, allowing individuals who didn’t pass the test to obtain a CDL and operate commercial trucks.
The charges include conspiracy, extortion, honest services mail fraud, falsification of records, false statements, and perjury. The indictment suggests that over two dozen drivers received CDLs without passing the test, exchanging bribes.
Cederquist allegedly received items, including a new driveway, a snowblower, and a granite post and mailbox, in exchange for passing drivers on their CDL skills tests.
All CDL recipients identified as not passing the skills test have been reported to the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles.
