BOSTON (AP) - The Latest on three Massachusetts State Police troopers charged with receiving overtime pay for shifts they didn’t work (all times local):
5 p.m.
Three recently retired or suspended Massachusetts State Police troopers charged with receiving overtime pay for shifts they didn’t work have been released from custody after appearing in federal court.
Paul Cesan, Gary Herman and David Wilson were arrested early Wednesday and are charged with embezzlement from an agency receiving federal funds.
The three made an initial appearance in Boston’s federal court Wednesday afternoon and were released subject to certain conditions.
Cesan and Herman’s lawyers didn’t immediately respond to messages from The Associated Press. It was not immediately clear if Wilson has an attorney.
U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling called the arrests the beginning of his office’s investigation into whether overtime abuse is a systemic problem at state police.
State police have told prosecutors that about 40 employees had apparent discrepancies between pay received and hours worked in 2016.
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Three recently suspended or retired Massachusetts State Police troopers have been charged with stealing government funds by putting in for overtime shifts they didn’t work.
Officials say Paul Cesan, Gary Herman and David Wilson were arrested early Wednesday and charged in federal court with embezzlement from an agency receiving federal funds.
Court records say the troopers were paid overtime for shifts they either left early or didn’t work at all. Officials say the troopers submitted fraudulent traffic citations to make it appear they had been working.
State police say an audit found apparent discrepancies in pay received and hours worked for about 40 employees in 2016.
U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling says their investigation into potential overtime abuse remains ongoing.
The men were expected to appear in court later Wednesday. It wasn’t immediately clear if they have lawyers.
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