Latest news with #CDLs
Boston Globe
02-05-2025
- Boston Globe
Retired Massachusetts State Police sergeant guilty of extortion, rigging license tests
US District Judge Indira Talwani scheduled sentencing for July 24. Advertisement 'It is never a good day when a member of law enforcement is convicted of a crime, especially a crime that compromises public safety,' US Attorney Leah B. Foley said in a statement after the verdict. Cederquist 'chose bribery and extortion over his oath to protect the community which he was sworn to serve,' Foley said. Three other former troopers who were indicted along with Cederquist resolved their cases prior to trial. Two of them, Calvin Butner and Perry Mendes, pleaded guilty as part of plea agreements and are awaiting sentencing. The third former trooper, Joel Rogers, was given a deferred prosecution agreement, which means charges will be dismissed if he abides by certain conditions. Two other men, Scott Camara, who worked at a commercial driving school in Brockton, and Eric Mathison, who worked at a water company, were charged in the scheme and also pleaded guilty prior to trial and are awaiting sentencing. Advertisement 'It was a fair trial,' Cederquist's attorney, Kevin Reddington, said after the verdict. 'He appreciates the work the jury put into the case.' He added that Cederquist 'is contemplating' an appeal, but will decide after he is sentenced. Until his indicment in January 2024, Cederquist had been in charge of the State Police commercial driving license unit, which administers skills tests for applicants seeking CDLs. The licenses are required to drive heavy vehicles, including tractor-trailers, box trucks, oil tankers and school buses. The verdict confirms that Cederquist abused his authority 'to recklessly bypass long-established testing and safety parameters for commercial driver's license applicants,' said Michael J. Krol, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations New England. 'He did so only to enrich himself, while turning a blind eye to the potential public safety implications of ill-prepared and unqualified commercial truck drivers navigating our streets and our highways.' Prosecutors allege the scheme resulted in more than three dozen people getting commercial driver's licenses between about February 2019 and January 2023 without passing the required tests. Prosecutors presented text messages to jurors that were exchanged between the troopers about giving a 'golden handshake' or 'golden,' meaning a passing score, regardless of how an applicant performed on the driver's test. In some cases, prosecutors allege, troopers exchanged text messages describing some of the drivers they passed as 'an idiot,' 'a mess,' or 'brain dead.' Applicants given preferential treatment on driver's tests included fellow troopers, relatives of active and retired police officers, a Seekonk firefighter, and a driver with connections to a tow company in Canton, according to the indictment. Advertisement Prosecutors alleged that Cederqist extorted a stream of benefits from difference businesses in exchange for giving passing grades on skills tests administered by the State Police unit in Stoughton. Prosecutors alleged that an asphalt company co-owner provided asphalt for Cederquist's driveway, valued at more than $10,000, and was later told that his son's application for a commercial driver's license was 'all set' and 'in the mail,' even though he never took the test. Prosecutors also presented evidence that Cederquist conspired with Mathison, his friend who worked for a water company, to give passing scores to CDL applicants affiliated with the company. In exchange, prosecutors alleged, Cederquist accepted bribes of free inventory from the water company, including cases of expensive bottled water, coffee and tea, as well as boxes of Twizzlers and Swedish Fish. The products were delivered to an office trailer at the CDL test site in Stoughton. Cederquist sent his friend a text describing one of the CDL applicants as 'an idiot,' who had 'no idea what he's doing,' and 'should have failed about 10 times already,' according to prosecutors. Shelley Murphy can be reached at
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Marijuana billboard ban, towing rules stripped from Senate's BMV bill, but advance in House
From left: Rep. Bob Morris questions Rep. Jim Pressel about towing regulations on the House floor on Thursday, April 3, 2025. (Leslie Bonilla Muñiz/Indiana Capital Chronicle) A finance-focused Senate panel excised a billboard-specific ban on marijuana advertising and regulations on towing services from the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles's legislation Thursday morning — hours before the House advanced tweaked versions. Commercial driver's license (CDL) reciprocity also got the ax, with lawmakers citing immigration-related fears. Appropriations Committee chair Sen. Ryan Mishler, said the marijuana and towing provisions were nixed — just a week after both were inserted — because they weren't germane to the underlying agency bill. The edits were accepted by consent. But both ideas advanced in the House that same afternoon. Rep. Jim Pressel, R-Rolling Prairie, commandeered Senate Bill 73 in a Monday committee hearing for amendments outlawing all marijuana advertising and regulating towing. He made further changes on the House floor Thursday — despite opposition from fellow Republicans — setting up a contentious vote as soon as next week. Lawmakers cited illegal immigration as they scrapped a provision allowing CDL holders from other states to get Indiana CDLs without the written or skills exams. 'There are other states in our union that hand out driver's licenses like candy,' said amendment author Sen. Aaron Freeman, R-Indianapolis. '… I'm fine if they follow the Indiana process to get a license. I am not fine if that process is California's or New York's or name your other state's process, and I wanted to ensure that I didn't have a non-citizen getting a license.' Freeman promised to undo the change 'if this needs to go back in.' Pressel said CDL requirements are federal, describing them as another layer of standards that lie atop state mandates. He resisted the amendment, but added, 'This is not a hill I'm going to die on. If you all would like to take it out, I'm okay with that.' The committee adopted the changes by consent. But some expressed hesitation. CDL holder Sen. Jeff Raatz, R-Richmond noted the tests take 'a lot of time and money.' Sen. Liz Brown, R-Fort Wayne, said her district is a major logistics hub, and would benefit from reciprocity. She instructed her colleagues to 'get this figured out.' The committee advanced Senate Bill 1390 — sans deletions — on a 12-1 vote. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Yahoo
Former MSP trooper pleads guilty in false licensing case
BOSTON, Mass. (WWLP)– A former Massachusetts State Police trooper will plead guilty after being charged for his involvement in falsely approving Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDL) for persons who failed the test. According to prosecutors, Calvin Butner, 64, of Halifax, MA, and five others were charged in a 74-count indictment in January 2024. Investigators say that between or about May 2019 and January 2023, Butner and three other members of the CDL Unit conspired to give preferential treatment to at least 17 CDL applicants by agreeing to give passing scores on their CDL tests regardless of whether or not they actually passed. Worcester medical company indicted for alleged MassHealth fraud, patient abuse A CDL is required to drive a commercial vehicle, such as a tractor-trailer, a box truck, or a school bus. Test requirements for CDLs are established by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation but states administer CDL tests and issue the licenses. An applicant must prove they have detailed knowledge of commercial vehicles, perform certain maneuvers, and safely drive on public roadways, including a highway. Only drivers who have passed the test and thereby proved they are qualified to drive a commercial vehicle may be issued a CDL, because public safety is at issue. Test scores reported by members of MSP's CDL Unit are material to whether applicants meet federal requirements for, and therefore whether the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles may issue, CDLs. All CDL recipients identified as not qualified during the investigation were reported to the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles. Butner has agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to falsify records, three counts of falsifying records and aiding and abetting, and five counts of making false statements. On March 21 a civilian co-defendant, Eric Mathison, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit extortion. The plea hearing is scheduled for April 7. Butner is facing possible prison sentences of 20 years for the conspiracy to falsify records charge and for each falsification charge, and $750,000 in fines. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Yahoo
Ex-Mass. state trooper agrees to plead guilty to falsifying records to pass CDL applicants, feds say
A former Massachusetts State Police trooper has agreed to plead guilty to falsifying records in a bribery scandal for allegedly giving commercial driver's licenses to unqualified applicants, the U.S. Attorney said Tuesday. Calvin Butner, 64, of Halifax, has agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to falsify records, three counts of falsifying records and aiding and abetting and five counts of making false statements, U.S. Attorney Leah Foley said in a statement. U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani scheduled Butner's plea hearing for April 7. In January 2024, Butner and five others, including two active Massachusetts State Police troopers at the time, were charged in a 74-count indictment in the alleged conspiracy, Foley said. They include Massachusetts State Police Sgt. Gary Cederquist, 58, of Stoughton, and Trooper Joel Rogers, 54, of Bridgewater, who were taken off the job following duty status hearings in 2024. Retired trooper Perry Mendes, 63, of Wareham, was also charged. Cederquist and Rogers were later arraigned in federal court in Boston, where they both pleaded not guilty to the charges. Cederquist retired from the department in 2024 after being suspended without pay. On March 21, Eric Mathison of Boston, a civilian, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit extortion. The men were charged in a federal indictment for allegedly giving commercial driver's licenses to unqualified applicants in exchange for personal kickbacks, including a $10,000 driveway makeover, free snowblowers, high-end bottled water, and cases of coffee and tea. 26 drivers stripped of CDLs amid investigation into state police bribery scandal, RMV says A Commercial Driver's License is required to drive a commercial vehicle, such as a tractor-trailer, a box truck, or a school bus, according to the charging document. Test requirements for Commercial Driver's Licenses are established by the federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation. 'Golden handshakes': MSP troopers passed failed CDL applicants in exchange for kickbacks, feds say However, states administer Commercial Driver's License tests and issue the licenses. The CDL test is a demanding, in-person test, officials said. An applicant must prove they have detailed knowledge of commercial vehicles. They must also perform certain maneuvers and safely drive on public roadways, including a highway. Only drivers who have passed the test and have proved they are qualified to drive a commercial vehicle may be issued a Commercial Driver's License, because public safety is at issue, officials said. Test scores reported by members of the Massachusetts State Police CDL Unit are material to whether applicants meet federal requirements for, and therefore whether the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles may issue, CDLs. 25 Investigates attempted to confirm state trooper bribery probe 11 months ago According to the charging document, between in on or about May 2019 and January 2023, Butner and three other members of the CDL Unit conspired to give preferential treatment to at least 17 CDL applicants by agreeing to give passing scores on their CDL tests, regardless of whether or not they actually passed. The indictment showed that the troopers jokingly talked about 'golden handshakes' and 'golden treatments' in text messages, referring to giving guaranteed passes to CDL applicants, regardless of how they scored on the test. Foley released these texts that Butner allegedly sent to others: 'This guys a mess. . . . Lol. He owes u a prime rib 6inch.' 'Golden mess. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣' 'He's a mess Class A truck 2psi loss with truck running truck cut our again while timing 🤣🤣🤣🤣' 'Total mess this guy[.] i think some time[s] we should just do what we can but not golden. I'll tell you about it later.' In addition to the false records conspiracy, Butner has agreed to plead guilty to three counts of falsifying records, aiding and abetting, by giving passing scores to three applicants who failed the CDL test, and five counts of making false statements by giving passing scores to five applicants who did not take the test at all. Prosecutors said all CDL recipients identified as not qualified during the federal investigation have been reported to the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles. In response to the investigation, state police earlier said they've taken steps to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability on a department-wide scale. These include: Required use of body-worn cameras for all CDL exams. Increased frequency of unannounced visits by unit supervisors to examiners at training sites. Modernized unit record-keeping with required electronic documentation and the use of the Department's online case management system, allowing for enhanced accountability, accuracy, and supervision. For the charge of conspiracy to falsify records, Butner faces a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. For each charge of falsification of records, Butner faces a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. For each charge of false statements, Butner faces a sentence of up to five years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. 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Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Breaking Down FMCSA's Medical Certification Extension. What You Need to Know Before the June Deadline
If you're a commercial driver, a fleet manager or anyone dealing with DOT compliance, you've probably heard about the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Medical Examiner's Certification Integration rule. But let's be honest: Most of the official documents from the Federal Register explaining the rule read like a legal textbook. Here's a simple breakdown of what's going on, why it matters and what you need to do before the deadline hits in June. The FMCSA Medical Examiner's Certification Integration rule is all about how commercial drivers' medical certification information is collected, stored and shared. Right now, drivers with commercial learner's permits (CLPs) or commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) must provide a paper copy of their Medical Examiner's Certificate (MEC) to their state's driver licensing agency. This certificate verifies that they are physically qualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle (CMV). The long-term goal of this rule is to digitize the entire process. The FMCSA wants certified medical examiners to send the medical exam results directly to the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners. The FMCSA would then electronically transmit those results to state licensing agencies, eliminating the need for drivers to submit paper certificates themselves. This digital system was initially supposed to go live in 2018. However, due to technical and security issues with FMCSA's IT system, it was pushed to 2021 and then again to 2025. Here's what the delay means in practical terms: Drivers still need to carry paper copies – Until June 23, 2025, commercial drivers must still provide a physical copy of their MEC to their state's driver licensing agency. Motor carriers still need to verify medical certificates – Employers must continue checking that their drivers are certified by a listed medical examiner. States must continue processing paper certificates – State agencies cannot fully automate the verification process until the new system is in place. If everything goes according to plan, by June 23, 2025: Medical examiners will electronically submit results directly to FMCSA. FMCSA will forward those results to state licensing agencies. Drivers will no longer need to submit their own MECs. Motor carriers will no longer need to manually verify the medical examiners' credentials. If you're a driver, failing to keep a valid MEC on file with your state licensing agency means your CDL could be downgraded, risking your job. Not tracking medical certification properly could mean compliance violations and fines if you're a fleet manager. Drivers should make sure their medical certification is up to date. Don't assume the new system is already in place; keep carrying your MEC and submit it to your state agency. Carriers should keep verifying medical certificates. Ensure your drivers have valid medical certifications from a registered examiner. Drivers and carriers alike should stay updated on FMCSA announcements. Since this rule has been delayed multiple times, there is always a chance of further changes. Keeping up to date will help you avoid compliance headaches. The FMCSA's Medical Examiner's Certification Integration rule is moving toward automation, but until June, everything will remain the same. To avoid being caught off guard when the new system finally kicks in, keep submitting your medical certificates, verifying compliance and following FMCSA updates. The post Breaking Down FMCSA's Medical Certification Extension. What You Need to Know Before the June Deadline appeared first on FreightWaves.
