Four more staties in OT scandal relieved of duty
Four more troopers have been relieved of duty in the state police overtime scandal, bringing to 46 the total number of staties sidelined by the review.
The four troopers put on temporary leave yesterday ahead of duty status hearings, all members of the disbanded Troop E, have also been referred to state and federal prosecutors.
In a statement, state police Col. Kerry A. Gilpin said the department’s ongoing audit of overtime shifts led to the discovery of “discrepancies between overtime pay earned and actual hours worked” for the four troopers.
Gilpin — sworn in last November after a police-report scandal led to the retirement of her predecessor — called the actions a “result of our continued review of records and data indicative of whether Department members were present and working overtime shifts for which they were paid.”
“Our commitment to the public, and to the vast majority of Troopers who conduct themselves with integrity and dedication to duty every day, is to identify anyone who has violated their oath, and we continue to do just that,” Gilpin added.
Asked if the state police are in need of outside oversight, Gov. Charlie Baker said he supports Gilpin’s investigation into the overtime abuse, according to spokesman Brendan Moss.
“The administration believes any member of the department who intentionally reported inaccurate shift information must be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law, and will support Colonel Gilpin and her leadership team as they implement reforms to increase accountability and restore public trust, including enhanced staff inspections and routine audits of top earners,” Moss said.
Relying on information from the overtime audit, U.S. Attorney Andrew E. Lelling has charged five state troopers with embezzlement, alleging they stole thousands in taxpayer dollars for the no-show overtime shifts. One has pleaded guilty.
Last month, Gilpin hired former state Public Safety Secretary and Boston police Commissioner Kathleen M. O’Toole as a “strategic resource” to help the troubled agency find its way.