Perry Mendes, CDL Test Falsification, Massachusetts 2025

BOSTON, Massachusetts – Former Massachusetts State Police (MSP) trooper Perry Mendes, 64, was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for his role in a conspiracy to falsify records by giving passing scores to certain Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) applicants.

Between January 2019 and April 2022, Mendes conspired with others to give automatic passing scores to at least 17 CDL applicants on their skills tests regardless of whether they actually passed, using the code word “golden handshake” or “golden,” for short, to identify applicants who would receive special treatment.

Mendes pleaded guilty in July 2025 to one count of conspiracy to falsify records, three counts of falsifying records, and two counts of making false statements.

The government recommended a sentence of one year in prison and a fine of $5,500. However, Mendes was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani to one month in prison, to be followed by one year of supervised release with the first two months on home confinement.

The CDL skills test is a demanding, in-person test that consists of three segments: Vehicle Inspection, Basic Control Skills, and the Road Test. Only drivers who have passed the test and thereby proved they are capable and qualified to drive a commercial vehicle may be issued a CDL, with the primary goal of public safety.

The alleged conspiracy and related schemes involved members of MSP’s CDL Unit, who were responsible for administering CDL skills tests. Test requirements for CDLs are established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christine J. Wichers and Adam W. Deitch of the Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit are prosecuting the case.

Mendes was charged in a 74-count indictment in January 2024, along with five others, in the alleged conspiracy and related schemes.

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