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

FRAMINGHAM, Mass — Massachusetts State Police Payroll Director Denise Ezekiel, 49, was arraigned on Monday at Framingham District Court for allegedly mishandling $23,900 in State Police payroll funds.

Ezekiel plead not guilty to one count of larceny over $250.

She was released on personal recognizance and was instructed to stay away from any witnesses tied to the case while she waits for her next scheduled hearing on June 4.

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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.

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.

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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.

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Ezekiel has been placed on leave pending the outcome of the investigation.

Charges were filed against her on March 6.

Massachusetts State Police and the Middlesex District Attorney's office are currently investigating this case.

Ezekiel's alleged larceny is just one of the numerous controversies surrounding the Massachusetts State Police, including one where state police troopers were accused of being paid for overtime shifts they didn't work.

Cox Media Group