Ex-Westborough State Cop Sentenced In Overtime Scheme

WESTBOROUGH, MA — A former state trooper from Westborough will serve time in federal prison following his conviction on conspiracy, theft and wire fraud charges, according to prosecutors.

Between 2015 and 2018, William Robertson, 62, and other troopers working in the Traffic Programs Section at state police headquarters in Framingham stole thousands in overtime pay from shifts funded by federal grants.

"When the MSP overtime misconduct came to light in 2017 and 2018, Griffin, Robertson and their co-conspirators took steps to avoid detection by shredding and burning records and forms," federal prosecutors said in a news release.

Robertson will serve three years in federal prison, plus three years of supervised release. He will also have to pay restitution of about $143,000, and a fine of more than $32,000, according to federal prosecutors. He was convicted on charges of one count of conspiracy, one count of theft concerning a federal program and four counts of wire fraud.

Former state police lieutenant Daniel Griffin, 60, of Belmont, was convicted alongside Robertson. He was sentenced last week to five years in federal prison, plus fines.