Update: After the publication of this story, MassDOT released data about its funding of the Massachusetts State Police. MassLive is reviewing the information and will follow up with additional reporting.

For over a month, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation has failed to answer questions about its funding of the Massachusetts State Police, as dozens of troopers have retired or been suspended for allegedly clocking no-show shifts on MassDOT's dime.

Thirty troopers linked to the now-dissolved Troop E -- the MassDOT-funded unit of the state police responsible for patrolling the Massachusetts Turnpike -- have been implicated in the alleged scheme, which has bruised a law enforcement agency already reeling from scandals involving a scrubbed arrest report and a trooper with a history as a marijuana dealer.

State Police have declined to say how much money was stolen, citing the ongoing investigation. And even basic information about how much was at stake has remained obscured, as MassDOT has not answered questions about its overall funding of Troop E and blown past deadlines for public records requests.

Common Cause Massachusetts Executive Director Pam Wilmot, whose organization helped craft the state's 2016 update to its public records law, said it is "disturbing" when agencies do not respond promptly to records requests.

"It's our government. We need to be able to hold it accountable and see what action has been taken on our behalf," Wilmot said in an interview. "Financial records are perhaps the most clear and obvious information that is in the public interest [to be disclosed.]"

On March 29, MassLive asked MassDOT for funding records of Troop E's AIRE program, the overtime traffic patrols allegedly abused by dozens of troopers. On April 3, a MassDOT spokesman responded, confirming the question had been filed as a public records request -- a procedure under state law that requires agencies to respond within 10 business days.

Thirty-five days later, MassLive has not received any formal response to the request.

On Wednesday, State Police spokesman David Procopio said in an email that the state police fiscal section was working on breaking down the data and would provide it "as soon as possible."

Under the public records law, records created or maintained by state agencies are presumed public with limited exemptions, including some personnel information and "investigatory materials necessarily compiled out of the public view by law enforcement or other investigatory officials" whose release would compromise ongoing law enforcement operations.

And agencies are required only to provide records that already exist, not create new documents to answer questions.

But budget materials are presumptively part of the public record -- and MassDOT should have reports on-hand detailing MassDOT's Troop E funding, according to the agency's 2010 agreement with state police on state highway operations.

In that agreement, which MassDOT provided to MassLive, the agency agreed to fully fund Troop E, which was responsible for patrolling the MassPike, Boston's Callahan, Sumner, CANA and Ted Williams Tunnels and the Metropolitan Highway System.

The agreement also sets out requirements for financial reporting and accountability.

"MassDOT agrees to provide the State Police with a written report demonstrating the approved funding for Troop E operations for the following fiscal year," the agreement says. "MassDOT agrees to provide this report within 60 days prior to the beginning of each fiscal year. The State Police agrees that MassDOT may review and/or audit any and all documents or other materials that form the basis for reimbursement under this MOU."

After receiving a copy of this agreement on May 2, MassLive requested copies of those mandated reports, and asked whether the agency ever exercised its right to audit Troop E reimbursements.

"I know that we have been seeking information for you on these questions and will find out where your inquiry stands," a MassDOT spokeswoman wrote in an email that day.

A week later, MassDOT has neither released the reports nor provided any explanation for the delay.

"I know you both have records requests regarding Troop E funding," a MassDOT spokesman wrote to two MassLive reporters on Monday. "We are continuing to actively work on this topic and answer your questions on the AIRE patrol and expenditures as a whole."

Asked to explain the delayed response -- or whether the requested financial reports exist at all -- MassDOT repeated earlier replies.

"We are continuing to actively work with MSP to get you this information and we will ensure you receive this as soon as possible," the spokesman wrote. "I will keep you updated as I learn more.

In the wake of the overtime scandal, State Police Col. Kerry Gilpin and Gov. Charlie Baker announced a series of reforms, including disbanding Troop E and distributing its responsibilities among the other state police units and activating GPS tracking in all state police cruisers.

MassLive staff reporters Gintautus Dumcius and Scott Croteau contributed to this report.