How big is the OT scandal at the State Police?
It just got bigger. The corruption just doesn't seem to be coming to an end. I think we all know that the unions have unlimited power in this State and we will know shortly how deep and who is behind some of the campaign contributions and who received them. Want to bet that Baker's name comes up? DeLeo and company, I hope Spilka's name is not one of them.
In another bit of good news, the secretary that was convicted of stealing 29K from the State Police will NOT be getting her pension.. hooray.
From the Globe:
The president of the union that represents Massachusetts State Police
troopers has resigned amid a federal investigation into possible
illegal reimbursement of campaign donations by union members.
Dana
Pullman, who led the powerful State Police Association of Massachusetts
for six years, stepped down Friday, citing “personal reasons.” Union
Vice President Kevin Fredette will take over until a vote for a
permanent president takes place next week.
Pullman departs as his
union, known by its acronym SPAM, is becoming entangled in the same US
attorney’s investigation that has already led to federal charges of
overtime abuse against six current and former troopers.
posted by Jim Pillsbury @ 6:15 PM
8 Comments
8 Comments:
saw this story in the Globe today. How do you get this stuff first?
Will the issues never stop coming up? is there anyone associated with the state police ethical enough to clan this up? What do you think of Gilpin?
I'm on just about every media source there is and have the time to sift through all of it.
Gilpin was next in line on the command side. From this desk I'd have to say she was not ready for this job, but she's a Trooper and they take up any challenge. Baker was forced to do something when the leadership retired as soon as one courageous trooper challenged his superiors about redacting the paperwork of a bust they made of the daughter of the judge. I like the fact that a women is at the helm at the State Police, but I don't think Baker has her back. It's a good old boys network to begin with. And she may be having trouble trying to get a handle on them. And then comes the unions, who have incredible power with those elected. Lets face it, this is been going on for years. The whole big picture looks very bad for the Governor and the longer this plays out in the media and more of them plead guilty of fraud at the federal level, the more chances Baker will be called out on it IMO.
Glad you do the sifting so I don't have to. Apppreciate your take on Gilpin. Not sure if she is qualified, but I do agree Baker threw her in their to make himself look good. New person to lead, that person is a women, and with lots of years on the force. But the unions have too much power, and if Baker does not give Gilpin the support and authority she needs, nothing is going to change
Good cop bad cop are roles they play to get people to talk. I think the State Police are short on the good cop end.
Has this union buy been charged with anything illegal?
Not as of yet but the investigation into Dana Pullamn is just getting started. Along those same lines, in the Globe today, "Troopers retirement rate soars". The rats are fleeing the sinking ship and to make matters worse, Robert Wasserman, a public safety consultant indicates that the OT will soar now. Through mid September, 11 sword officers have left the department. Could the time have come that we finally see flaggers at construction sites, instead of highly paid troopers who do very little at these sites? Now state police officials are going to have to ask the legislature for more money, can you believe it?
I read today that the new union president Sergeant Mike Lynch has been appointed. He has 37 years with the force and made 187,000 last year while on the force. Including 39,000 in overtime and 19,000 in detail and other pay. One might think he would have retired by now, but won't it be interesting to see if he is being investigated for OT fraud by the feds.
Not much will change with Sergeant Lynch as union president I fear.
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