In a significant development, a former Massachusetts State Police trooper has admitted to participating in a bribery scheme that compromised the integrity of commercial driver’s license (CDL) testing. The scheme involved issuing passing scores to unqualified applicants in exchange for kickbacks. Perry Mendes, aged 64, from Wareham, entered a guilty plea on Friday to several charges, including conspiracy to falsify records, falsifying records, and making false statements. This plea was confirmed by the U.S. Attorney’s office.
U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani has scheduled Mendes’ sentencing for July 15. This case stems from a January 2024 indictment involving Mendes and five others, who are accused of orchestrating a conspiracy and related illegal activities. Among those implicated are former Massachusetts State Police Trooper Calvin Butner, who confessed to his involvement in the scheme earlier this year, and civilian Eric Mathison, who admitted to conspiracy to commit extortion. Additionally, Massachusetts State Police Sergeant Gary Cederquist and Trooper Joel Rogers were suspended following hearings related to this matter in 2024.
Sergeant Cederquist and Trooper Rogers were later arraigned in federal court in Boston, where they both pleaded not guilty. Cederquist subsequently retired after being suspended without pay. The charging document outlines that from May 2019 to January 2023, Mendes and his co-conspirators provided automatic passing scores to at least 17 CDL applicants, regardless of their actual performance. Code words like “golden handshake” or “golden” were used to flag applicants who would benefit from this illicit practice.
During the plea hearing, Mendes conceded his involvement in the conspiracy, admitting to prematurely concluding skills tests for “golden” applicants and entering false data on test score sheets. This included reporting passing scores for individuals who never completed the required skills tests. For the conspiracy to commit extortion charge, Mendes could face up to 20 years in prison, along with supervised release and a substantial fine.
The Tangible Impact
The repercussions of this bribery scheme are profound, particularly for the trucking and transportation sectors, where safety and competency are paramount. The admission of guilt by those involved highlights vulnerabilities in the processes meant to uphold public safety. By undermining the CDL testing system, the integrity of the transportation infrastructure has been compromised, potentially putting unqualified drivers on the road.
For the general public, this case underscores the importance of regulatory oversight and the need for stringent checks and balances within the licensing system. Assurance of driver qualification is critical to maintaining road safety and preventing accidents. Additionally, it reflects the potential costs associated with corruption, not only financially but also in terms of public trust and safety.