Trooper Accused Of Lewd Act Has Charges Dropped Under 'Brave Act'

FOXBOROUGH, MA — Charges were dropped against a Massachusetts State Police trooper accused of exposing himself and punching a man at a Luke Bryan concert at Gillette Stadium last June, the Boston Globe reported. Andrew Patterson, 32, was scheduled to be arraigned Friday in Wrentham District Court, but charges were dismissed before the court appearance in accordance with the Brave Act. The Brave Act allows a judge to decide if veterans like Patterson can seek treatment in certain cases instead of going to jail.

As of Friday, Patterson was still suspended without pay following an internal investigation into the incident. He was suspended with pay June 26, but after an internal ruling Oct. 26, Patterson's pay was forfeited. Following Friday's court ruling, Patterson and his attorney Daniel Moynihan spoke with reporters and said Patterson had done nothing to deserve slander or public shame.

"These were false allegations from the start," Moynihan said. "There were no witnesses forthcoming, no videotapes forthcoming."

For more on this story, check out the Boston Globe.