A former Massachusetts State Police trooper has been sentenced to prison for his involvement in a scheme to falsify Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) test scores. Perry Mendes, 64, of Wareham, received a sentence of one month in prison followed by one year of supervised release, with the first two months under home confinement. The sentencing took place in federal court in Boston before U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani. Prosecutors had recommended a sentence of one year in prison and a $5,500 fine.
Mendes pleaded guilty in July 2025 to conspiracy to falsify records, three counts of falsifying records, and two counts of making false statements. He was charged earlier this year along with five others as part of a larger indictment involving alleged conspiracies and related offenses.
The case centers on the administration of CDL skills tests by members of the Massachusetts State Police CDL Unit. These tests are required by federal law and are designed to ensure that commercial drivers meet safety standards set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation. The skills test includes vehicle inspection, basic control skills, and a road test segment.
According to court documents, between January 2019 and April 2022, Mendes conspired with others to give automatic passing scores to at least 17 applicants regardless of their actual performance on the test. A code word—“golden handshake” or “golden”—was used to identify those who would receive favorable treatment.
In his plea agreement, Mendes admitted he cut tests short for certain applicants designated as “golden,” entered false information on score sheets indicating they had passed when they had not, and reported passing scores for an applicant who never took the skills test.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley stated: “United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England; and Brian C. Gallagher, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General, Northeast Region made the announcement today.” Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christine J. Wichers and Adam W. Deitch from the Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit are prosecuting the case.
