Wareham man pleads guilty to falsifying Commercial Drivers License test scores

A Wareham man pleaded guilty Friday, April 11 to his role in an alleged conspiracy to falsify Commercial Drivers License test results, giving passing scores to people who failed or did not take the test.

Former Massachusetts State Police trooper Perry Mendes, 64, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to falsify records, three counts of falsifying records and two counts of making false statements. His sentencing is scheduled for July 15. In January 2024, Mendes was charged in a 74-count indictment along with five others in the alleged conspiracy and related schemes.

Mendes helped administer the three part Commercial Drivers License skills test as a member of the Massachusetts State Police. The test authorizes anyone who passes to drive large vehicles like trucks or buses.

According to the charging document, Mendes and others conspired to give 17 applicants a passing score from around May 2019 to Jan. 2023 using the code word “golden handshake,” or “golden” for short to identify applicants receiving special treatment.

Mendes admitted to his role in the alleged conspiracy in a plea hearing held Friday, April 11 saying he cut skills tests short for “golden” applicants, entered false information to give applicants passing grades and reported passing scores for applicants he knew had not taken the test.

Two other defendants have also pleaded guilty to their role in the alleged conspiracy.

On April 7, former trooper Calvin Butner pleaded guilty for his role and on March 21, civilian co-defendant Eric Mathison pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit extortion.