Retired Boston Police Captain Convicted in $100K+ Overtime Fraud Scheme

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By Staff Writer | iSkyCreations - News & Media (ISC News & Media)
Published March 20th, 2024

BOSTON – Today, a federal jury found Richard Evans, a retired captain of the Boston Police Department (BPD), guilty of leading an elaborate overtime fraud operation within the BPD's evidence warehouse, resulting in significant losses to taxpayers. At 65 years old, the Hanover resident faces a potential maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison for each count of conspiracy to commit theft and theft concerning programs receiving federal funds, and up to 20 years for each count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud. Sentencing is scheduled for June 20, 2024, by U.S. District Court Judge Richard G. Stearns.

“Every resident of Massachusetts has a right to expect that those of us in law-enforcement will uphold the law. When an individual violates that expectation, it hits to the core. It undermines the public’s confidence in our profession,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “Mr. Evans’ greed is not a reflection of the Boston Police Department or the many men and women in law-enforcement who serve with integrity. However, when individuals put their greed before their public duty, they must be held accountable.”

Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Boston Division, Jodi Cohen, reinforced the idea that no one is above the law, condemning Evans for failing to uphold the very laws he was sworn to protect and betraying the citizens he was meant to serve. The investigation received full cooperation from the Boston Police Department, showcasing a commitment to transparency and accountability.

Evans, a 37-year veteran of the BPD and former commander of the Evidence Control Unit (ECU), abused his position by submitting and approving fraudulent overtime slips for himself and subordinates from May 2012 to March 2016. These actions not only inflated the amount of time worked but also duped the system into paying for unworked hours, doubling the compensation unjustly received. Evidence presented at trial included details of how Evans and other officers manipulated shift schedules and alarm records to conceal their early departures, all while claiming payment for full shifts.

The fraudulent activities orchestrated by Evans also involved deceiving superior officers to hide the true nature of the overtime work claimed by him and his team. The financial toll of Evans' leadership over 3.5 years at the ECU was substantial, with him personally earning over $120,000 in overtime on top of a base salary exceeding $200,000.

The case was jointly announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Levy, SAC Cohen, Russell W. Cunningham from the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General Washington Field Office, and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kunal Pasricha and Elysa Wan are handling the prosecution, demonstrating the concerted effort by federal and local agencies to address and rectify corruption within law enforcement ranks.

This case is a poignant reminder of the ongoing challenges in combating fraud and corruption, ensuring that those who are entrusted with upholding the law are also subject to it. The community awaits the sentencing in June, hopeful for a resolution that reaffirms the principle of accountability for all, regardless of their position or status.

For Immediate Release: U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Massachusetts

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