State police sergeant dishonorably discharged after conspiracy indictment

Massachusetts State Police dishonorably discharged a sergeant who allegedly receive bribes in exchange for passing scores on the commercial driver's license exams.

The department announced the discharge of Sgt. Gary Cederquist Thursday, noting he had retired. On Wednesday, Cederquist was suspended without pay a day after federal prosecutors arrested and charged him, along with five others, in the alleged conspiracy.

Cederquist was in charge of the state police's Commercial Driver's License Unit, according to the indictment.

State trooper Joel Rogers was also suspended without pay on Wednesday. Two former members of the state police, and two civilians were charged in the 74-count federal indictment.

Federal prosecutors have identified more than two dozen people who received commercial driver's licenses without passing the test. The license is needed to operate vehicles like tractor trailers, box trucks and school buses.

In a statement, the state police said the question of paying any of the former troopers' state pension will be determined by the state's retirement board.