Massachusetts Police Bribed With Fiji Water to Falsely Pass Drivers Who 'Should Have Failed' Test

A Boston man pleaded guilty Friday to participating in a bribery scheme in which a now-former Massachusetts State Police sergeant accepted premium bottled water in exchange for falsifying passing scores on commercial driver's license (CDL) exams, federal prosecutors said.

Eric Mathison, 48, admitted to conspiracy to commit extortion, acknowledging that he worked with former State Police Sgt. Gary Cederquist to ensure that certain CDL applicants—some of whom failed or barely took the required skills tests—received passing scores.

In return, Cederquist, who oversaw the department's CDL Unit, received bribes in the form of bottled Fiji water, Arizona Iced Tea, and other beverages delivered to a testing site in Stoughton, MassLive reported.

Federal authorities uncovered text messages between Mathison and Cederquist, revealing blatant disregard for road safety. In one exchange, Cederquist described an applicant as an "idiot" who had "no idea what he's doing" and "should have failed about 10 times already" but still passed the test.

Mathison, who worked for a water company that employed drivers requiring CDLs, was part of a broader indictment involving five others charged in the scheme. Prosecutors said Cederquist regularly requested restocks of choice beverages in return for rigging CDL test scores.

Mathison faces up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. His sentencing is scheduled for June 13.