Related Federal Cases
- Massachusetts Woman Pleads Guilty to Bank Fraud Scheme · Massachusetts
- Cromwell’s Empire Collapses in Massachusetts Federal Case · Massachusetts
- Massachusetts Heroin Trafficking Ring Dismantled · Massachusetts
- Bay State Gun Builder Gets 70-Month Sentence · Massachusetts
- State Street Corp Pays $64M for Client Fraud Scheme · Massachusetts
Former Massachusetts State Trooper Indicted for Overtime Abuse
A former lieutenant with the Massachusetts State Police (MSP) has been indicted on charges of embezzlement from an agency receiving federal funds. Lt. David Wilson, 57, of Charlton, was accused of receiving overtime pay for shifts he either did not work at all or from which he departed early.
Wilson was assigned to Troop E of the MSP, which was responsible for enforcing criminal and traffic regulations along the Massachusetts Turnpike, Interstate I-90. The alleged conduct involves overtime pay for the Accident and Injury Reduction Effort program (AIRE), which was intended to reduce accidents, crashes, and injuries on I-90.
According to court documents, investigators were able to corroborate the alleged conduct through information maintained concerning the usage of MSP cruiser radios, RMV records, and records of when driver history checks were run on ticketed drivers. Wilson allegedly concealed the fraud by submitting citations that were issued outside of the overtime shifts, altered citations to create the appearance that the citation was issued during an overtime shift, and/or submitted citations that were never issued and never took place.
In 2016, Lt. Wilson earned approximately $230,000, claiming to have worked approximately 170 AIRE overtime shifts – equating to about $68,000 in overtime pay. In court documents, it is alleged that Lt. Wilson earned approximately $12,450 in overtime pay for hours that he did not work.
The charge of theft of government funds provides for a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The indictment is part of a larger ongoing investigation into overtime abuse at the Massachusetts State Police. In addition to Wilson, several other former or current Troopers have been charged and arrested in connection with the investigation, including Trooper Gary Herman, former Trooper Paul Cesan, former Trooper Gregory Raftery, retired Trooper Daren DeJong, and suspended Trooper Kevin Sweeney.
United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling; Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Field Division; and Douglas Shoemaker, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General, made the announcement today. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dustin Chao and Mark Grady of Lelling’s Public Corruption Unit and Neil Gallagher of Lelling’s Economic Crimes Unit are prosecuting the case.
The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Category: Public Corruption|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
