Wareham Former State Trooper Pleads Guilty in CDL Scheme

BOSTON (WBSM) — A former Massachusetts State Police trooper from Wareham pleaded guilty recently in federal court to his role in an alleged conspiracy to falsify records by giving passing scores to Commercial Driver’s License applicants.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Perry Mendes, 64, was accused of giving passing scores to CDL applicants that included those who had failed or did not take the CDL skills test as required by law.

Mendes pleaded guilty on April 11 to one count of conspiracy to falsify records, three counts of falsifying records and two counts of making false statements.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office said Mendes was charged along with five others in a 74-count indictment related to the alleged conspiracy and related schemes.

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How the Alleged Conspiracy and Scheme Worked

Mendes and the others were members of the MSP CDL Unit, responsible for administering the CDL skills tests.

“According to the charging document, between in on or about May 2019 and January 2023, Mendes and others conspired to give automatic passing scores to at least 17 CDL applicants on their skills tests regardless of whether they actually passed, using the code word ‘golden handshake’ or ‘golden,’ for short, to identify applicants who would receive special treatment,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

Mendes Admitted to His Role

Mendes admitted at his plea hearing to cutting skills tests short for “golden” applicants, entering passing scores for those who had failed the skills test, and reporting passing scores for applicants who hadn’t even taken the test.

Two Others Have Pled Guilty

Two of the other five people charged in the alleged conspiracy pleaded guilty: former state trooper Calvin Butner on April 7, and civilian Eric Mathison, who pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit extortion.

Mendes Could Face 20 Years in Prison

Mendes will be sentenced on July 15. The charge of conspiracy to commit extortion provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.

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