Massachusetts Law Enforcement Agencies Spend Thousands on Casinos Using Taxpayer-Funded Cards
Massachusetts law enforcement and state offices collectively charged over tens of thousands of dollars on taxpayer-funded credit cards at casinos nationwide during the last fiscal year, according to data shared with the Herald. This expenditure formed part of a $7.3 million dataset for fiscal year 2025.
Numerous sheriff’s departments were major contributors to these expenses, with the Barnstable Sheriff’s Department, under Sheriff Donna Buckley, leading the way at over $9,400 spent at both Mohegan Sun in Connecticut and Horseshoe Las Vegas. A department spokesperson justified the spending, explaining that the costs stemmed from staff attending the Daigle Law Group’s Use of Force Summit and were necessary for ensuring appropriate training and supervision.
Other sheriff’s departments also significantly impacted the total. The Middlesex Sheriff’s Department tallied over $3,000 in expenditures at Caesar’s Paris Las Vegas Hotel for staff attending a National Conference on Correctional Healthcare, funded through a federal grant. Similarly, the Hampden Sheriff’s Department spent more than $2,600 for conference-related stays, with officials stating the choice was influenced by the proximity to event venues.
Additional expenditures listed from various agencies included the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department, which spent over $2,000, and the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, which charged $176 for a conference at The Venetian Las Vegas.
Despite state guidelines advising that taxpayer-funded cards be a “payment of last resort,” officials assert these hotel expenses were necessary for professional training and conference participation. The outlay has sparked discussions about fiscal responsibility and the appropriateness of such spending practices among public agencies.
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