Ex-Trooper Avoids Prison For Overtime Fraud Scheme

A retired Massachusetts State Police trooper has avoided prison after pleading guilty to participating in an overtime abuse scheme.

Paul Cesan, of Southwick, was sentenced in Boston federal court Monday to one day in prison, which he was deemed to already have served. He'll serve one year of supervised release and pay a fine of $5,500.

Cesan pleaded guilty in November. He said in court Monday that he is "truly sorry."
Prosecutors had sought six months in prison.

Cesan is one of several state troopers that have been charged in the overtime scheme.

Authorities say the troopers received overtime pay for shifts they left early from or didn't work at all and submitted fake citations to make it looks like they were on the clock when they weren't actually working.