Massachusetts General Laws Part I. Administration of the Government (Ch. 1-182) Ch. 31, § 74

No person shall wilfully or corruptly alter any examination paper of any applicant, or wilfully or corruptly substitute any other paper for such examination paper, for the purpose of either improving or injuring the prospects or chances for appointment, employment or promotion of such applicant or of any other person. Any person who violates or conspires to violate any provision of this paragraph shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars or imprisonment for not more than one year, or both.

No person, by himself or in cooperation with one or more persons, shall wilfully or corruptly defeat, deceive or obstruct any person with respect to his right, pursuant to the civil service law and rules, of examination, registration, certification, appointment, promotion or reinstatement; or wilfully or corruptly make a false mark, grade, estimate or report on the examination or proper standing of any person examined pursuant to the civil service law and rules; or wilfully or corruptly make any false representation concerning the same or concerning the person examined; or wilfully or corruptly furnish to anyone special or secret information for the purpose of either improving or injuring the prospects or chances of appointment, employment or promotion of any person examined, registered or certified or to be examined, registered or certified. No person shall impersonate any other person or permit or aid in any manner any other person to impersonate him in connection with any examination, registration or application or request to be examined or registered or in connection with any certification, appointment or promotion.

No person making an appointment to any civil service position shall receive or consider a recommendation of an applicant for such appointment given by any member of the general court, board of alders or city council, except as to the character or residence of the applicant.

Any person who has been elected to public office by popular vote or by the board of alders or city council of a city or the select board of a town shall not be eligible to be designated as a representative of civil service.

Any person who wilfully or negligently violates or conspires to violate any of the provisions of the civil service law and rules, or who knowingly makes an appointment or employs any person in violation of such law and rules, or who refuses or neglects to comply with any provision of such civil service law and rules, shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars or imprisonment for not more than one year, or both, unless a different penalty is specifically provided in this chapter.