20 State Troopers Being Investigated For OT Fraud: State Police

More than 20 State Troopers, including one who is retired, are being investigated for allegedly receiving payment for shifts they may not have worked. Authorities say they are still considering whether criminal charges will be warranted.

State Police Col. Kerry Gilpin announced Tuesday morning during a press conference at the Framingham State Police Headquarters that 19 active troopers, one department member who recently retired and one who is currently suspended without pay due to another investigation, face duty status hearings after an internal audit revealed discrepancies between overtime shifts that were paid out and overtime shifts that were worked.

"Depending on the outcome of the hearings, these members face a potential change in their duty status, up to and including suspension without pay while the investigation into the apparent pay discrepancies is conducted," Gilpin said.

He did not release the identities of the troopers involved in the investigation.

The investigation has been handed off to the Attorney General Maura Healey's office, where the AG will determine next steps.

The news comes a week after a Boston Globe review of payroll data showed that 245 troopers made more than $200,000 last year. Many of them supplemented their regular salary by taking on long overtime shifts or taking on multiple details directing traffic or providing security at special events, which is not uncommon in many police departments.

Four troopers collected more than $300,000, including three who took buyouts when they retired amid controversy. The median pay for a state trooper was $145,413, the Globe reported.

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