the Enviromental cops are called out by Auditor Suzanne Bump

There seems to be no end in sight for cops who take advantage of the system, citing the union contract. I've written about this group many times in the past and thanks to Matt Rocheleau and Channel 5. But now there's a new twist on the case for the former Baker driver, Colonel James McGinn who now claims his firing was in retaliation for his exposing fraud to his superiors. The colonel is seeking whistle blower status in court.

https://www.wcvb.com/article/ex-head-of-state-environmental-police-to-file-whistle-blower-suit/27325339

By Matt Rocheleau Globe Staff,Updated April 22, 2020, 3:00 p.m.

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Environmental police officers during an investigation in 2018.Pat Greenhouse/Globe Staff/Boston Globe

Years of poor oversight and sloppy record keeping at the Massachusetts Environmental Police have led to pay irregularities and the potential for overtime abuse within the agency, according to a new state watchdog report.

The report, issued Tuesday by the state auditor’s office, stopped short of alleging payroll fraud, but determined the state law enforcement agency may have improperly paid tens of thousands of dollars worth of overtime to dozens of officers.

The police force, with about 85 officers and a $12 million annual budget, enforces fishing, hunting, boating, and recreational vehicle laws. The low-profile agency has come under repeated scrutiny in recent years for management and pay problems.

“This is not the first time that the agency has been called out for its lax practices,” said a statement from Auditor Suzanne M. Bump, whose office released the report Tuesday. "I hope this audit helps ensure it is the last time.”

The auditor’s investigation covered two years of operations under former Colonel James McGinn, who was fired in fall 2018 amid ticket-fixing allegations. McGinn, a former State Police sergeant, had served as Governor Charlie Baker’s personal campaign driver before Baker appointed him to the agency’s helm in 2014.

The audit alleged the department may have improperly paid out overtime to officers on 327 occasions between July 2016 and June 2018. The report said the potentially unnecessary payments went to 65 officers and collectively totaled as much as $42,623. A spokeswoman for Attorney General Maura Healey said her office will review the auditor’s report.