November 15, 2013 — It was Gary Duncan's dream job, a big promotion to coastal bureau chief for the Massachusetts Environmental Police, where he's worked for more than 30 years.
But instead of celebrating what would probably have been his final job before retiring, Duncan is left trying to understand what happened.
"It hurts. It really does," he said.
His interview for the job in 2011 went well, he said, well enough to earn the recommendation of both his boss, Environmental Police Col. Aaron Gross, as well as an interview panel.
But things went south once it reached the highest levels of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, where the final decision was made.
"What did the Colonel tell you?" FOX Undercover investigative reporter Mike Beaudet asked.
"He said you were my choice and you were picked by the panel. It went upstairs with my signature on it, and whatever happened he doesn't know. They can't get any answers," Duncan said
"Upstairs" is the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, where a decision was made to promote another candidate, Len Roberts, instead of Duncan.
"Why do you think you didn't get the job?" Beaudet asked him.
"I haven't got any answers definitively, but I believe politics was involved," Duncan replied.
Duncan has good reason to be suspicious.
Unlike Duncan, Roberts is a regular contribution to Democratic politicians, including former Democratic Lt. Gov. Tim Murray.