Charlie Baker

Report on Payroll Shakes Massachusetts State Police Division

Investigators are following the money trail in the Massachusetts State Police Department, and critics say there needs to be more transparency and accountability.

An investigation by the Boston Globe shows that troopers' earnings are significantly greater than had previously been reported.

"It's important for the state police to get its act together," Gov. Charlie Baker said Monday.

Gov. Charlie Baker is now dealing with the 140-member Troop F, responsible for patrolling Logan International Airport and parts of Boston's Seaport District. The Globe reports that the entire division's payroll data has been obscured from the public for years.

The Massachusetts Port Authority, which pays Troop F, did not file payroll records with the state.

"Massport made a mistake," Baker said.

The investigation found that 14 troopers made more in overtime than base pay, and that 54 troopers made more than $200,000 -- 79 percent of Troop F made more than Baker's own salary.

The payroll issues come after a series of state police scandals, including an alleged police report cover-up that led to the early retirement of the department's top cop, a wave of suspensions over various issues and an overtime pay scandal being investigated by the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office. Critics say they want Attorney General Maura Healey to launch a separate investigation into this latest controversy.

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