Investigations

On June 24, 2019, Paul Cesan, a retired Massachusetts State Police (MSP) trooper, was sentenced in U.S. District Court, Boston, Massachusetts, to 1 day in prison (deemed served), 12 months’ of supervised release, a fine of $5,500, and restitution in the amount of $29,287. He pleaded guilty in November 2018.

 

Cesan was assigned to Troop E, which was responsible for enforcing criminal and traffic regulations along the Massachusetts Turnpike, Interstate I-90. He received overtime pay connected to the Accident and Injury Reduction Effort program (AIRE) and the “X-Team” initiative. Both AIRE and X-Team are intended to reduce accidents, crashes, and injuries on I-90 through an enhanced presence of MSP troopers targeting vehicles traveling at excessive speeds.

 

In 2016, Cesan earned $163,533, including approximately $50,866 in overtime pay. He admitted to receiving pay for overtime shifts that he left early or did not work at all. He submitted fraudulent citations designed to create the appearance that he had worked overtime when he had not, and falsely claimed in MSP paperwork and payroll entries he had worked the entirety of his overtime shifts.

 

In 2016, DOT provided MSP with over $10,000 in annual benefits, which were funded pursuant to numerous Federal grants.

DOT-OIG is conducting this investigation with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).