Trooper dishonorably discharged for role in bribery scheme

BOSTON, Mass. (WLNE) – Massachusetts State Police (MSP) announced today that one of the state troopers involved in a years-long bribery scheme has been dishonorably discharged.

Former-Trooper Joel Rogers, 54, of Bridgewater, Mass. retired from the department effective Tuesday, according to officials.

Rogers was previously charged, along with five others, in a federal indictment for conspiring to issue commercial driver licenses to applicants who were unqualified or did not complete the full testing process.

He was suspended without pay by the department on Jan. 31, the day after he was charged.

Rogers is the second member of MSP to retire following the incident, as Sergeant Gary Cederquist retired last week following an unpaid suspension of his own.

Retired MSP members Calvin Butner and Perry Mendes and two other conspirators were also charged.

State Police say they are conducting an internal investigation of the case in addition to assisting prosecutors in the federal investigation.