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A former Massachusetts state trooper has requested a delay in serving his five-year prison sentence, igniting a heated debate over his legal fate. Daniel J. Griffin, once a prominent figure in the state police’s Traffic Programs Section, is accused of a series of serious crimes, including stealing overtime pay, committing tax fraud, and deceiving a private school for financial aid.

Ex-Trooper OT Scam Prison Delay : Emergency Motion Filed

On Monday, Griffin's legal team filed an emergency motion seeking to postpone his prison sentence while he appeals his conviction. Prosecutors have labeled this move as yet another attempt to avoid facing justice, accusing Griffin of exploiting every available legal avenue to delay his punishment.

Griffin, who led the Traffic Programs Section, was convicted of wire fraud and federal programs theft for authorizing no-work overtime shifts, benefiting himself and others unlawfully. He also admitted to wire fraud and tax fraud related to his son’s private school financial aid applications.

Dispute Over Sentencing Guidelines

Griffin contends that U.S. District Judge Margaret R. Guzman made significant errors in calculating the advisory sentencing guidelines. He argues that the judge improperly combined his separate crimes related to the Belmont Hill School and the Traffic Programs Section, which had different victims and should not have been grouped together.

The former trooper believes that if the First Circuit Court agrees with his argument, it could result in a reduced sentence, potentially shortening his time in prison from the current guideline of 46 to 57 months.

Ex-Trooper OT Scam Prison Delay : Prosecutors Push Back

Prosecutors have countered Griffin’s motion, arguing that his request fails to meet the legal standards necessary for a stay. They claim that Griffin's appeal does not present a substantial question of law or fact that could lead to a reversal or significant reduction in his sentence. Furthermore, they criticize Griffin for his delay in filing the motion, suggesting that any perceived urgency was self-created and should not disadvantage the government.

The prosecution has also objected to an expedited response timeframe, arguing that the normal briefing schedule would suffice, ensuring that all issues are thoroughly addressed before Griffin’s scheduled prison reporting date of September 17.

Fraudulent Practices Unveiled

The case against Griffin revealed a pattern of corruption, including the misuse of federally funded overtime shifts for safety initiatives. Despite the availability of these shifts, many were never worked, and the funds were misappropriated. This scheme, which came to light in 2018, implicated nearly 50 troopers.

Additionally, Griffin's security company, Knight Protection Services, was found to have understated income and exaggerated expenses. Personal items, such as Red Sox season tickets, were falsely claimed as business expenses, and Griffin used the company’s funds for personal luxuries, including his Cape Cod home and golf club membership.

Ex-Trooper OT Scam Prison Delay : Accusations of Misleading Conduct

Griffin's legal team argues that the prosecution did not provide clear notice of what constituted illegal conduct regarding the overtime funds, claiming the evidence was insufficiently detailed to distinguish between legal and unlawful actions.

As the legal battle continues, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney's Office declined to comment, and representatives for Griffin were unavailable for immediate response.

The case is now under the purview of U.S. Attorney's Office representatives Dustin Chao and Adam W. Deitch, while Griffin is defended by Thomas M. Hoopes and Jason M. Strojny from Libby Hoopes Brooks & Mulvey PC.