BOSTON – A grim conspiracy to rig Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) tests in Massachusetts has resulted in a former State Police trooper facing serious time behind bars. Calvin Butner, 64, from Halifax, Mass., was sentenced today to three months in federal prison for his role in the fraudulent scheme.
Butner, who pleaded guilty in April 2025 to conspiracy to falsify records and numerous counts of record falsification, will also serve one year of supervised release, including three months of home confinement. The government had recommended a 15-month sentence.
The saga began in January 2024 when Butner was charged along with five others in a 74-count indictment for their part in the CDL test rigging scheme. Members of the Massachusetts State Police’s CDL Unit were tasked with administering these crucial tests, which are designed to ensure public safety on America’s roadways.
Between May 2019 and January 2023, Butner and three co-defendants conspired to grant passing scores to at least 17 applicants who had failed the test or hadn’t taken it at all. They used the term “golden” as a code word for these favored candidates. One text message from Butner reads: “This guys a mess… Lol. He owes u a prime rib 6inch.”
Butner’s actions endangered public safety, as he issued passing scores to three applicants who actually failed the CDL test and five who never took it. All identified individuals have been reported to the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles.
The U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley; Michael J. Krol of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; and Christopher A. Scharf of the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, Northeast Region, announced Butner’s sentencing. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christine J. Wichers and Adam W. Deitch are handling the prosecution.
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Key Facts
- State: Massachusetts
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: Official Source ↗
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