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CDL Bribery Scam: Ex-Mass Trooper Let Unfit Truckers Drive For Candy, Cash, And Favors
A former Massachusetts State Police sergeant was found guilty of running a years-long bribery and extortion scheme that let unqualified drivers skip commercial license tests and hit the road, putting everyone at risk, federal authorities announced.
Gary Cederquist, 59, of Stoughton, was convicted in federal court of nearly 50 charges, including conspiracy, mail fraud, falsifying records, and taking bribes, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. He gave passing scores to applicants who failed — or never even took — the Commercial Driver’s License test, required for tractor-trailer truc…
US Issues Urgent Travel Warnings Covering 2 Countries: What To Know
The US State Department is warning Americans against traveling to part of one country and has issued a do not travel warning for one of its neighboring nations.
A Level 3 Reconsider Travel Advisory covers these parts of eastern Colombia:
Arauca, Cauca (excluding Popayán), and Norte de Santander departments in Colombia;
The Colombia-Venezuela border region.
"Violent crime, like murder, assault, and robbery, is common in many areas in Colombia," the advisory says. "In some places, organized crime is rampant. This includes extortion, robbery, and kidnapping."
A Level 4 Do No…
'Barbaric Attack': 2 Men Who Burned Victim During Springfield Home Invasion Sentenced
Two men found guilty of torturing and permanently disfiguring a Springfield man during a 2019 home invasion were sentenced to decades in prison on Thursday, June 27, authorities said.
Paul Gayle, 30, and Malik Erskine, 24, both of Springfield, were found guilty of multiple violent felonies in the "barbaric attack," Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni. Markendall Johnson, now 21, who was charged as a youthful offender because of his age on the day of the robbery, was also convicted in the case.
Gayle was sentenced to 35 to 40 years in state prison, and a judge gave …
Men Busted For Running Organized Crime Loan Sharking, Gambling Ring: Mass AG
State and federal agents wrapped up a multi-year investigation with the arrest of three men who they say used threats, intimidation, and extortion to run a multi-million dollar gambling ring with the help of an organized crime syndicate.
Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey announced the arrests last week and laid out the state's case against them. They are, and their charges include:
Eric Rogers, 54, of Revere: Extortion, conspiracy to commit extortion, witness intimidation, and gambling charges.
Michael McMahon, 44, of Boston: Extortion, conspiracy to commit extortion,…
Iranian Nationals Coordinated Cyberattacks On Boston Children's Hospital, Others: FBI
The FBI said three Iranian nationals have hacked and attacked computer systems around the world, including the Boston Children's Hospital.
Mansour Ahmadi, 34, Ahmad Khatibi Aghda, 45, and Amir Hossein Nickaein Ravari, 30, "engaged in a pattern of hacking, cyber-theft, and extortion largely for personal gain," FBI Director Christopher Wray said. The agency indicted the men earlier this week, though they remain in Iran and have escaped capture.
The FBI is offering a $10 million reward for information leading to their capture.
The FBI says since October 2020, the men have hacked scores of …
