CDL Test Bribes: Former Police Sergeant Faces Prison

Former State Trooper Convicted in CDL Bribery Case

A federal jury in Boston has found a former Massachusetts State Police (MSP) Sergeant guilty in a wide-ranging bribery and extortion case. Gary Cederquist, 59, of Stoughton, was convicted of helping unqualified people get Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs). He gave out passing scores to many people who either failed the CDL test—or never took it.

Cederquist was in charge of the MSP’s CDL Unit. He worked there from 2019 to 2023. During that time, he and others ran CDL skills tests for people applying to drive large trucks, buses, and other commercial vehicles. These tests are tough and include three parts: vehicle inspection, basic control, and a road test.

But federal investigators say Cederquist gave passing scores to at least 40 people who didn’t earn them. Some didn’t even take the test. In many cases, he accepted bribes. He and his partners used the code word “golden” to describe people who would be given passing scores no matter how they performed.

Others Involved in CDL Test Scheme Have Pleaded Guilty

Cederquist was charged in a 74-count federal indictment. The case also named three other troopers and two civilians. All five co-defendants have pleaded guilty and are waiting to be sentenced. They are:

• Calvin Butner (Former Trooper)
• Perry Mendes (Former Trooper)
• Joel Rogers (Former Trooper)
• Scott Camara 
• Eric Mathison

Six of the CDL applicants helped by Cederquist were Massachusetts State Troopers. They never took the actual road test. Four of those troopers were helped by Camara, who worked at a truck driving school in Brockton. Others were connected to Mathison’s water company in Boston.

Bribes Included Water, Candy, and Home Improvements

Cederquist accepted many forms of bribes. These included cases of bottled water, iced tea, Swedish Fish, Twizzlers, and other goods. He also received more expensive items. These included a snowblower worth nearly $2,000, a granite mailbox post worth $750, and a new driveway that cost over $10,000.

In text messages with Mathison, Cederquist gave passing scores to applicants he knew were unqualified. He described one man as “an idiot” who “should have failed about 10 times already.” He still gave that person a passing grade. In another case, he gave a passing score to someone he called “brain dead,” in exchange for the snowblower.

Federal officials say all of the unqualified CDL holders found during the investigation have been reported to the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles.

Officials Warn of Public Safety Risk Tied to CDL Test Fraud

Law enforcement leaders said the case put public safety at risk. “Gary Cederquist chose bribery and extortion over his oath to protect the community,” said U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley. “His greed put the public at risk when he devised a scheme to issue commercial driver’s licenses to applicants who had never taken a real test…”

Michael J. Krol of Homeland Security Investigations also commented on the case. “Cederquist abused his authority…to enrich himself, while turning a blind eye to the potential public safety implications of ill-prepared and unqualified commercial truck drivers.”

Elise Chawaga from the Department of Transportation’s Inspector General’s office added: “Today’s verdict sends a strong message to those who may be motivated by greed to abuse their positions—that they will be met with the full force of the criminal justice system.”

Sentencing Scheduled for July

Cederquist was convicted on 48 counts, including conspiracy to commit extortion, mail fraud, and falsifying records. He was found not guilty on nine other charges. His sentencing is set for July 24, 2025.

Each of the charges carries a possible sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Federal sentencing guidelines will help decide the final punishment.

CDL Test Integrity Under National Scrutiny

This case has raised bigger questions about how CDL licenses are given out. The federal government sets strict rules for testing. These are enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). In Massachusetts, the CDL test has a low pass rate. Only 41% of people passed in 2021 and 2022.

The outcome of this case has drawn attention from across the country. It raises concerns about how many other cases like this might exist—and how they could affect road safety.