22 Mass. State Troopers Could Be Fired In Overtime Pay Scandal
BOSTON (CBS) -- Twenty-two Massachusetts State Police troopers could be fired for their involvement in the Troop E overtime pay scandal. Forty-six troopers in all were accused of timesheet "irregularities," an accusation sparked by an internal audit in 2018 that led to the elimination of Troop E.
Mass. State Police Colonel Christopher Mason announced Friday that the first part of the disciplinary process was completed.
Ten troopers were criminally charged in state and federal courts with accepting pay for overtime shifts they did not work. Of the remaining 36, 14 troopers had already retired. The state retirement board was notified about both groups.
Thirteen troopers have been on active duty during the internal investigation and nine have been suspended without pay.
Active troopers facing termination can appeal and seek a trial board.
"I have directed the internal affairs section to notify each member of my intent to pursue termination of their employment at the Massachusetts State Police. Letters and conversations communicating that intent were transmitted yesterday," said Mason.
He added, "In every case, we will require that the trooper reimburse the taxpayer dollar for dollar any money paid for hours not worked in addition to a substantive, punitive penalty."
The department has created a number of steps that have been implemented to ensure the scandal cannot be repeated. They include face-to-face relief, GPS tracking in cruisers, more supervisory oversight, more ethical conduct training, and "regular institutionalized auditing of time in attendance."
"I believe there was a culture that was created at Troop E where supervision was lax, where supervision failed to address when officers would leave overtime blocks early or respond to them late. I think that that is something that will be an unfortunate part of the MSP history," Mason said.
He also said the department is taking ownership of the issue and there are still "valuable lessons to be learned."
"The public has a right to be skeptical with the Massachusetts State Police. We're working hard to regain that trust. Trust isn't something that's earned overnight. We understand that."
The troopers will get a chance to request a hearing before the terminations are final.
This week, David Wilson, a retired shift commander for the now disbanded Troop E, was sentenced to two years of probation, ordered to perform 200 hours of community service and repay the state almost $19,000.
The State Police Association of Massachusetts released a statement saying:
"The overwhelming majority of Troopers serve with distinction every day and as an Association we will continue to defend the rights of our members. The pervasive culture of Troop E existed because of a failure of those then in command which impacts every trooper to this day. As public servants, we will work with the current Colonel to close this chapter and move this Department forward with integrity."
The Massachusetts Attorney General's Office also said:
"Our thorough investigation into overtime abuse in Troop E of the Massachusetts State Police resulted in criminal charges against three superior officers and led to much-needed disciplinary action by the Internal Affairs Section of the State Police. Our criminal investigation is now closed, and we have referred all of our investigatory materials to the Division of State Police Oversight, overseen by the Inspector General's Office, to determine what systemic changes must be made to prevent this criminal misconduct from happening again. We expect the Baker Administration to consider and implement additional reforms within the State Police to restore and maintain public trust in the agency."
