Third Mass. State Police trooper pleads guilty in overtime abuse scandal

A third suspended Massachusetts State Police trooper pleaded guilty in connection to an ongoing investigation into overtime pay abuse, according to the United States Attorney's Office.

Gary Herman, a 45-year-old Chester native, pleaded guilty to one count of embezzlement from an agency receiving federal funds on Thursday, with a sentencing scheduled for January 17, 2019.

Herman, a trooper assigned to Troop E, was arrested on June 27, and released on conditions afterwards. The government will recommend a sentence between six and 12 months in prison after a plea agreement.

Troop E was responsible for enforcing criminal and traffic regulations along the Massachusetts Turnpike, and Herman allegedly earned $227,826 in 2016, with about $63,053 in overtime pay.

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Herman was paid for overtime shifts that he didn't work or didn't finish, and concealed the overtime abuse by submitting fraudulent citations to make it look like he had worked hours that he hadn't.

In total, the United States Attorney's Office said Herman collected $12,468 in overtime pay that he did not work for.

Herman is the third trooper to plead guilty, after former Trooper Gregory Raftery pleaded guilty on July 2 and 40-year-old Kevin Sweeney pleaded guilty on September 14.

Three other troopers have been charged in the scandal.

Cox Media Group