A Boston man has confessed to a scheme involving bribing officials to obtain Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs) without proper testing.
What happened: On March 21, 2025, Eric Mathison pleaded guilty to conspiring with Massachusetts State Police (MSP) troopers to give out passing CDL scores in return for free beverages.
- This scheme involved handing over bottled water, iced tea, and other items in exchange for passing scores that weren't earned.
- Mathison worked at a water company needing drivers with CDLs to operate delivery vehicles, which led to this bribery arrangement with MSP’s CDL Unit head.
The big players: Mathison and former MSP Sergeant Gary Cederquist are at the center of the conspiracy. Cederquist allegedly granted passing scores to applicants who failed or completed only part of their CDL tests, details reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
What they're saying: Text messages between Mathison and Cederquist revealed discussions about applicants’ test performances and requests for restocking drinks for favorable results.
Mathison now awaits sentencing, set for June 13, 2025. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and fines up to $250,000.