Massachusetts targets 26 commercial drivers in wake of bribery scandal
BOSTON — More than two dozen commercial drivers have had their licenses revoked following a scandal involving state police officers allegedly taking bribes in exchange for test scores, the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles announced Friday.
The RMV said it had identified 26 people who failed the test and changed them to Class D passenger licenses. The drivers, who have not been named, will have to take and pass all required licensing and skills tests if they want to get commercial licenses.
The RMV said it was not aware of any accidents involving the drivers. Records were checked to look for anyone else who may have been improperly licensed.
“The RMV is committed to the safety of the public on the road. … The RMV will take appropriate action for additional identified individuals who are prohibited from operating a commercial motor vehicle,” the company said in a statement.
Two current and two former troopers were among six people charged this week in connection with the alleged scheme to receive bribes including a new snow blower and a ramp.
The officers are accused of falsifying records and giving preferential treatment to at least 17 people between May 2019 and January 2023 who took their commercial driver’s license tests.
When drivers failed the skills tests, troopers passed and communicated that they had done so in text messages using the code word “golden,” according to the complaint. Some reportedly joked in the messages about how poorly a driver had performed.
Sergeant Gary Cederquist, 58, of Stoughton, and Trooper Joel Rogers, 54, of Bridgewater, were arrested Tuesday. Calvin Butner, 63, of Halifax, and Perry Mendes, 63, of Wareham, both retired state troopers, were arrested Monday in Florida.
All four face more than 70 charges, including conspiracy to falsify records, extortion and making false statements.
Two others, Eric Mathison, 47, of Boston, and Scott Camara, 42, of Rehoboth, were also involved in the scheme. Cederquist allegedly conspired with Mathison, who worked for a well water company that employed drivers who required commercial licenses, to give them passing scores; and with Camera, who worked for a truck driving school in Brockton, to help four state troopers obtain their commercial licenses.
No phone number could be found for any of the six and their lawyers did not respond to requests for comment.