News

MSP payroll director pleads guilty to misappropriation of funds

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — The Massachusetts State Police payroll director has pleaded guilty to one count of larceny over $250 in connection to the misappropriation of about $23,000 in State Police funds.

Denise Ezekiel, 50, of Holbrook, has been sentenced to two and a half years of probation, has been ordered to pay full restitution, serve 100 hours of community service, show proof of employment and to undergo an evaluation within 30 days and abide by any follow-ups required.

An investigation was launched last year on November 1 where Massachusetts State Police began investigating the misappropriation of State Police payroll funds following a financial discrepancy found during a report query run on October 30 of that year.

State police payroll director pleads not guilty to stealing $23,900

Further examination into the payroll records showed Ezekiel had been receiving unauthorized fund transfers to her personal bank accounts in the form of travel/training reimbursements.

Electronic records allegedly showed 29 separate entries for travel and training reimbursements paid to Ezekiel's personal bank account.

The reimbursement payments varied from $500 to $950 and were allegedly paid to Ezekiel through her department employee account, totaling $23,900.

Subsequent investigation showed no proof for the reimbursements and that payment transfers happened on various pay periods between July 23, 2016 through October 28, 2017.

Charges against Ezekiel were filed on March 6, 2018.