How Did A Mass. State Trooper With Criminal Past Get Hired?

WORCESTER, MA – Massachusetts State Police have launched an internal affairs investigation into how a woman with admitted ties to a large-scale marijuana operation was hired as a state trooper. Website Turtleboysports.com first reported Leigha Genduso's participation in the enterprise, which she admitted to in 2007 when testifying against her then-boyfriend, Sean Bucci.

The 36-year-old, who according to the Worcester Telegram is a Worcester native and graduate of Shrewsbury High School, was suspended without pay in February. State police spokesman David Procopio told the Telegram Genduso underwent the same background checks as all other recruits, which includes an application, oral interviews, checks on criminal, driving and credit histories, questions about the use of controlled substances, interviews with employers, references and acquaintances.

The department did not comment on how Genduso's background was not revealed when she was hired as a dispatcher in 2008 and later in 2013 when she entered the police academy. Genduso was assigned to the K-9 unit the following year, where she remained until her suspension.

According to reports, Genduso testified that she met Bucci at a bar in Salem, where she worked as a cocktail waitress and he was a DJ. She said she helped Bucci package, transport and sell marijuana and launder money.

Bucci was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana, possession with intent to distribute over 1,000 kilograms of marijuana, conspiracy to commit money laundering, two substantive counts of money laundering, seven substantive counts of structuring currency transactions and four counts of tax evasion. He was sentenced to 151 months in prison.

Genduso's testimony helped her avoid prosecution for her involvement in the business.

Image via MSP Facebook post