Drivers got licenses without taking or passing test — and bribes were involved, feds say

Federal prosecutors have revealed that drivers seeking to get a driver’s license in Massachusetts without having to pass a road exam were paid by driving schools owners.

The driving school owner kept a portion of the bribes before paying the rest to a road test examiner — who is accused of lying about the drivers passing tests at the Registry of Motor Vehicles in Brockton, court documents show.

According to court documents, then the licenses would be sent by mail to the drivers. Prosecutors stated that $17,000 was paid by the owner to the road tester as part of the scheme.

Brockton’s 61 year-old man is known for his generosity. pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit honest services mail fraud on April 5, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts announced in a news release.

Massachusetts criminal defense attorney Nate Amendola, who represents the man, told McClatchy News his client pleaded guilty “because it was in his best interest.”

“He’s deeply embarrassed about his conduct,” Amendola said. “He looks forward to telling the court and the public his story during sentencing.”

Prosecutors stated that the man could face up to 20 year imprisonment and up to $250,000 in fines at a sentencing hearing on Aug. 1.

Bribery

The driving school owner and the road test examiner aimed to “enrich themselves personally” through the bribery scheme between September 2019 and April 2021, according to court documents.

People who held a learner’s permit paid the bribes, according to prosecutors. Prosecutors stated that the owner of the driving school received the money and sent portions of the bribes via CashApp to his road test examiner.

According to court records, one example was that a driver who didn’t pass their road test paid $300 to the owner of the driving school. Prosecutors stated that the owner then paid the road examiner $150, while keeping half of the money.

Court documents state that permit holders who paid for licenses arrived to the Brockton RMV, and then drove around the lot.

Prosecutors claim that others didn’t show up to get their licenses.

The release stated that prosecutors are now seeking $17,000 in forfeiture money from the driving school’s owner.

Homeland Security Investigations’ Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force led the investigation with help from the Mattapoisett Police Department in Plymouth County.

Brockton is also located in Plymouth County and is approximately 25 miles south from Boston.

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