MA State Trooper Pleads Guilty To Overtime Scam: DOJ

BOSTON, MA — A former Massachusetts State Trooper pleaded guilty Monday in federal court in Boston in connection with the ongoing investigation of overtime abuse at the Massachusetts State Police.

Per an agreement unsealed Monday, Gregory Raftery, 47, of Westwood, pleaded guilty to one count of embezzling funds from a state agency receiving federal funds.

At the plea hearing, Raftery admitted that in 2015 and 2016, he was not present and did not work for hundreds of hours of overtime shifts for which he had been paid by the Massachusetts State Police.

Raftery admitted he frequently left overtime shifts early, and, on occasion, did not work overtime shifts at all.

To hide this conduct, Raftery submitted bogus motor vehicle citations that were never issued to operators, and then claimed on the citations and internal paperwork that they had been written during overtime shifts that, in reality, Raftery did not work

Raftery acknowledged that in 2015 he was paid more than $24,000, and in 2016, he was paid more than $30,000 for overtime hours that he did not work.

“This Department played a lead role in uncovering the overtime abuse that led to this conviction, and will continue to hold accountable any member who violates our Code of Conduct," said Massachusetts State Police Colonel Kerry A. Gilpin in a statement about Raferty.

Gilpin said the State Police will inform the State Retirement Board of his conviction, continue auditing overtime shifts, and continue to provide audit results to state and federal prosecutors for their review.

"Anyone within our ranks who breaks the law does not represent who we are and the values we hold dear. Rest assured that no one is more disheartened by this illegal conduct than am I and the overwhelming majority of Troopers who exhibit integrity and bravery every day,” she said in a statement.

Raftery's guilty plea comes after three members of the Massachusetts State Police – two recently retired and one recently suspended – were arrested and charged in criminal complaints with embezzling funds from a state agency receiving federal funds Wednesday, June 27.

Former Lieutenant David Wilson, 57, of Charlton; Trooper Gary Herman, 45, of Chester; and Former Trooper Paul Cesan, 50, of Southwick, pleaded not guilty during an initial appearance in federal court in Boston and are scheduled to appear for a detention and probable cause hearing on Tuesday, July 10, 2018.

They could face up to 10 years in prison for embezzling funds from a state agency receiving federal funds, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss.

U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young scheduled sentencing for Raftery for Sept. 25.

Catch up on the State Trooper overtime scandal:

• 3 MA State Troopers Arrested For Stealing Government Funds
• Former State Police Payroll Director Pleads Guilty

• State Police Scandal Update: GPS On Cruisers, Troop E
• State Police Reforms: Troop Eliminated, Body Cams, More

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