This is just to much... who will clean this mess up?
State PD Tried To Destroy Records Amid Payroll Scandal: Report
The revelations come to light as some 46 MA State Troopers are being investigated for falsifying overtime pay records.
By Jenna Fisher, Patch Staff | | Updated
BOSTON — On several occasions the Massachusetts State Police
Department has attempted to destroy boxes of payroll, attendance, and
personnel documents that go back decades amid ongoing investigations
into overtime and payroll fraud, Commonwealth Magazine reported first.
The state police asked a state document retention board three times this year for its approval to destroy the records, including once in March, just days after the Globe reported that payroll records for an entire 140-trooper unit were hidden for years.
Commonwealth Magazine reported the Police essentially requested to destroy 115 boxes of the only copy of the records. And in March 12 of those boxes contained payroll files for detail and roster assignments involving the Troop division at Logan Airport that's currently under scrutiny.
The Records Conservation
Board tabled each State Police request, citing the records' potential
involvement in ongoing investigations, according to documents provided
by the board.
State Police spokesman David Procopio said in a statement the records were not for anything that was currently the subject of investigation.
The state police asked a state document retention board three times this year for its approval to destroy the records, including once in March, just days after the Globe reported that payroll records for an entire 140-trooper unit were hidden for years.
Commonwealth Magazine reported the Police essentially requested to destroy 115 boxes of the only copy of the records. And in March 12 of those boxes contained payroll files for detail and roster assignments involving the Troop division at Logan Airport that's currently under scrutiny.
State Police spokesman David Procopio said in a statement the records were not for anything that was currently the subject of investigation.
Read the full Commonwealth Magazine report here: State Police Sought To Destroy Records
Read the full Boston Globe report here: State Police Tried To Destroy Payroll Records
posted by Jim Pillsbury @ 4:02 PM
11 Comments
11 Comments:
Are you fing kidding me?
I wish I was. If you watched last night's debate you may have missed what Baker had to say about the State Police scandal. Imo, it was not enough to say that commander Gilpin is working on it.
These 100 boxes of files should be secured by the feds, away from the State police.
I don't see the Governor as making this as a big a deal as he should be and for the life of me I don'te understand why. It is illegal, these cops stole taxpayors money by putting in to be paid for hours they did not work. These cops are criminals and deserve to be treated as such. Cut the bullcrap and fire anyone who even remotely was involved in this either by particpating or by turning a blind eye or even by not doing their job and finding and finding out what was going on. Cops want respect but respect is earned and their crooked fellow officers have made it tough for good cops to hold their heads up high but I can't help but suspect that these officers had to know there was something fishy when they saw fellow officers making twice what they were making but how do you call out someone who has a gun?
Now there's a different perspective.. and a good one. All of their salaries are published and they all know what there fellow officers make. Might be an interesting question that could be asked by Commander Gilpin of all sworn officers. If it's none, then they all are not honest.. if it's over 50%, it's the ingrained culture that requires everyone to keep quiet. I conclude that it's the code of honor that keeps the good cops from speaking out. Baker has to jump in on this now. Call in the feds and protect those files, you never know what extremes people will do to protect themselves from going to jail.
I agree with your idea that all cops should be asked that question about what the knew directly. As you say salaries are public record and I don't buy that they did not check out what their fellow officers were making. They knew, and they said nothing, which makes them guilty by way of their silence
From the Globe this morning:
Colonel investigates new allegations of union payroll fraud. I must admit, I've never heard of tax-payer funded time off for union members. This must be as a result of all the investigations that are under way. How many more little abuses will be uncovered?
By Matt Rocheleau Globe Staff October 10, 2018
The head of the Massachusetts State Police has launched an investigation into new accusations of trooper payroll fraud, alleging some members used the union as an excuse to take paid leave.
Colonel Kerry Gilpin said an initial review found troopers were using a taxpayer-funded time-off benefit, afforded to union members, for illegitimate purposes, according to a letter she issued late last month to the State Police Association of Massachusetts, or SPAM.
“SPAM officers and members cannot continue to receive compensation and benefits from the department to which they are not lawfully entitled,” Gilpin wrote in her letter.
In response, the union, which represents nearly all of the agency’s 2,150 officers, filed a complaint with the state labor relations department opposing changes Gilpin announced to union leave practices. The filing did not contest Gilpin’s allegations.
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The department uses public money to allow union members a limited amount of leave to participate in union activities. Gilpin believes troopers abused that privilege and said the department would crack down on the practice.
It’s unclear whether an administrative or criminal investigation is taking place. A State Police spokesman did not respond to requests for comment Wednesday. Union officials declined to comment.
So the union gets to allow extra time off for union members that is then approved by the management of the state police and paid for by us taxpayers. Does that sound wrong to anyone else besides me
Code of honor. Thats a good laugh. More like honor among theives if you ask me but you didn't ask me
And to add insult to our injury, the State Cops have filed for an injunction with Suffolk Superior Court to block policy changes. IMO, the unions are out of control and are just protecting those union members who have been abusing the system for years and years. It's good to see Colonel Gilpin stand tall against them but the Governor and the legislator should step in and force the State Police to get in line.
By Matt Rocheleau Globe Staff October 11, 2018
The union that represents State Police troopers filed a lawsuit Thursday that seeks to block policy changes handed down by department leaders amid claims that union members abused paid leave.
The request for an injunction, filed in Suffolk Superior Court, alleges State Police officials acted unilaterally and unfairly by implementing the changes without negotiating.
The lawsuit mimics a recent complaint lodged with the state labor relations department by the State Police Association of Massachusetts, or SPAM. The union is pushing back against, without directly addressing, accusations levelled last month by Colonel Kerry Gilpin. She said an internal review had found that some troopers were using the union as an excuse to take paid leave.
In a letter to the union, Gilpin vowed to crack down on troopers who use a taxpayer-funded time-off benefit for illegitimate purposes.
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The agency will require advance written notice for leave, and union members are now barred from using departmental resources, including cruisers, for union business. Also, State Police will no longer pay the salaries of two full-time union positions — the president and an executive board member.
SPAM’s injunction said Gilpin also declared that any union official on leave could no longer work overtime, details, or get paid for court appearances.
The union, which represents nearly all of the agency’s 2,150 officers, claims these practices and benefits are afforded under decade-old union contract terms.
A State Police spokesman said Thursday the department hopes the union will work with Gilpin “to address the inappropriate use of union release time.”
The department is mired in numerous controversies, including state and federal criminal probes into alleged payroll abuse.
The head of the union, Dana Pullman, abruptly resigned late last month amid a separate federal investigation into the possible illegal reimbursement of campaign donations by union members. He cited “personal reasons” for leaving the union and was replaced by Sergeant Mark Lynch.
sounds like FPD when it talks about abusing sick time
I'm with you on that one. It's the self entitlement attitude that public safety has in this State. And the unions just promote that. I hope the court rules against the union. That may be setting a president if they do rule in favor of Gilpin.
I have to believe Trask is addressing the abuses.. that's why the union wants him out, IMO.
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