The State Police overtime scandal expanded Friday when the state’s largest law enforcement agency reported that five more troopers are facing discipline for allegedly falsifying overtime records in 2016.
The announcement by State Police Colonel Kerry A. Gilpin increases the total number of retired and active duty troopers under investigation for payroll fraud to about 35, all of whom were assigned to the former Troop E, which was responsible for patrolling the Massachusetts Turnpike and tunnels.
Troop E has been disbanded by Gilpin and Governor Charlie Baker.
The five troopers — who may also face criminal charges from a parallel investigation by Attorney General Maura Healey — will appear before State Police commanders next week who will determine whether the troopers will remain on the job or be suspended.
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In the statement issued through State Police spokesman David Procopio, the department said the newest allegations focus on overtime shifts known as “X Patrols” or “55 Team” patrols aimed at combating “aggressive and speeding drivers.”
The overtime shifts have since been canceled.
“We are committed to making sure that the highest ideals of integrity and accountability are maintained by the Massachusetts State Police, and we will identify any department members who commit deliberate actions that contradict those ideals,” Gilpin said in a statement. “We owe this to the public, whose trust and confidence we need in order to fulfill our mission.”
State Police officials said they will now examine overtime records from 2015.
John R. Ellement can be reached at ellement@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @JREbosglobe.