MSP colonel announces disciplinary orders against Troop E for misconduct

BOSTON — Massachusetts State Police Colonel Christopher S. Mason announced on Thursday that disciplinary measures will be taken against the 22 former Troop E members for misconduct.

At least 22 former Troop E members will face disciplinary orders, where one member was fired, five others will face termination and others will face restitution, suspension without pay, loss of seniority, and removal from promotion list.

Those troopers are former members of Troop E, which was disbanded after an investigation uncovered rampant time card fraud and overtime abuse in the unit that used to patrol the Mass. Turnpike.

Based on internal audits launched in 2017, State Police referred a total of 46 current and former Department personnel to the US Attorney’s office and Massachusetts Attorney General’s office, who sought criminal charges against 10 of those individuals.

Of the officers identified, 36 have been charged by the internal affairs department, including 14 who have retired.

The 22 members now facing disciplinary action represent the portion of troopers who were not already terminated following criminal convictions or who retired pending an investigation.

On July 7, the State Police Department fired one trooper and five others facing termination have trial boards currently scheduled - but the department says they will move forward with the terminations if the charges are sustained by the board.

Fifteen of the remaining 16 Troopers were issued punishment of suspension without pay for various lengths of time, ranging from 841 days to 60 days. Three of those members have been credited for varying amounts of time served for time already spent many months suspended without pay since the department uncovered their transgressions in 2018.

Restitution amounts the suspended members agreed to pay range from $15,901.89 to $2,941.32.

Those disciplined include:

• Trooper John Adams;

• Trooper David Perrault;

• Trooper Jeffrey Reger;

• Trooper Jeffrey Russell;

• Trooper Anthony Bozko;

• Trooper Mark Augusta;

• Trooper Kevin Fogwill;

• Sergeant George Hamilton;

• Trooper Christopher Brown;

• Trooper David Berra;

• Trooper George Beaupre;

• Trooper Gerald Johnson;

• Sergeant Arthur Hebb;

• Trooper Michael Thorpe;

• Trooper Robert Church.

Back in January, Mason announced that the remaining 22 members of Troop E had been issued letters detailing the department’s intention to terminate their employment due to their misconduct.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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