Eric Mathison, 48, of Boston, pleaded guilty on March 21 to conspiracy charges related to an extortion scheme involving former Massachusetts State Police (MSP) troopers. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts confirmed Mathison’s involvement in falsifying Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) test results in exchange for bribes.
Mathison, employed by a water company that employed CDL drivers, worked with former MSP Sergeant Gary Cederquist, who headed the department’s CDL Unit. The two conspired to approve unqualified applicants for CDL licenses. Cederquist allegedly accepted bribes in the form of bottled water, Arizona Iced Tea, and other products from Mathison’s company in return for falsified test scores.
The conspiracy came to light after it was revealed that Mathison regularly delivered bribe goods to a trailer at the CDL test site in Stoughton following discussions about specific applicants. In one instance, Cederquist allegedly texted Mathison about an applicant who should have failed but received a passing score. Other text exchanges included requests for premium drinks and water supplies.
The charge of conspiracy to commit extortion carries serious consequences, including a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and up to $250,000 in fines. Mathison now faces sentencing in connection with his actions in the bribery scheme.
