Former Mass. State Police Payroll Director Pleads Guilty

HOLBROOK, MA–A Holbrook woman pleaded guilty to one count of larceny on Monday in Framingham District Court in connection with misappropriating around $23,000 in Massachusetts State Police payroll funds.

Denise Ezekiel, 50, who was the MSP's payroll director, pleaded guilty to misappropriating the payroll funds through her position.

Judge Michael Fabbri sentenced the defendant to two-and-a-half-years of probation and ordered her to pay full restitution, to perform 100 hours of community service, to show proof of employment, to undergo a comprehensive evaluation within 30 days and to comply with any recommended follow up.

The investigation began on Nov. 1, 2017, after a financial discrepancy was discovered during a report query run on Oct. 30, 2017. A further examination of payroll records showed that Ezekiel had been receiving unauthorized fund transfers to her personal bank accounts in the form of travel or training reimbursements.

There were no supporting documents for the reimbursements and the payment transfers happened on various bi-weekly pay periods that started in July 23, 2016, through Oct. 28, 2017. Some 29 automatic bank deposits were paid to Ezekiel's accounts in various amounts ranging from $500 to $950. They were deposited through her department employee account, said authorities.

Charges were filed against Ezekiel on March 6, 2018.

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