A former Massachusetts State Police trooper has admitted guilt in a case related to falsified Commercial Driver's License (CDL) test scores. On April 11, Perry Mendes, 64, from Wareham, accepted responsibility for conspiracy to falsify records, falsifying records themselves, and making false statements. His sentencing by U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani has been set for July 15, 2025.
Mendes was part of a 74-count indictment charged in January 2024, alongside five others accused of similar activities in the conspiracy. The Massachusetts State Police’s CDL Unit was tasked with conducting CDL skills tests, following regulations by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration under the U.S. Department of Transportation. The CDL skills test is divided into three segments: Vehicle Inspection, Basic Control Skills, and the Road Test, aimed at ensuring drivers’ competence and public safety.
The charges claimed that from May 2019 to January 2023, Mendes and his co-conspirators used codes like “golden handshake” to secure undeserved passing scores for at least 17 CDL applicants, irrespective of their actual performance.
During Friday’s plea hearing, Mendes confessed to shortening skills tests and falsifying records to reflect passing scores for certain applicants who did not sit for or failed their tests. He also submitted scores for applicants who did not take the test.
Prior to Mendes' plea, former Trooper Calvin Butner admitted guilt on April 7, 2025, and civilian Eric Mathison did the same for conspiracy to commit extortion on March 21, 2025. The extortion charge could result in a maximum of 20 years imprisonment, as well as fines and supervised release.
The joint announcement of these proceedings was made by U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley, Michael J. Krol, Special Agent from Homeland Security Investigations, and Christopher A. Scharf from the Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christine J. Wichers and Adam W. Deitch are managing the prosecution.
The indictment details remain allegations, and all remaining defendants are assumed innocent until proven otherwise in a court of law.