The State Police overtime abuse scandal, involving dozens of troopers, was a "conspiracy," according to Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker.

Baker made the remark Friday, days after three current and former troopers were arrested on federal embezzlement charges, the Boston Globe reports.

"I anticipate this conspiracy goes back a long time," Baker said.

Baker late last year installed Col. Kerry Gilpin as the superintendent of the State Police and directed her to clean up the troubled law enforcement agency.

Gilpin has sent the names of roughly 40 troopers to Attorney General Maura Healey's office, which is investigating the alleged overtime abuse, for potential criminal charges.

Baker has previously called the overtime abuse scandal an "alleged scam," which his administration believes was "going on for many years." Baker and Gilpin have stressed that the majority of troopers follow the rules and uphold their oath to keep citizens safe.

US Attorney Andrew Lelling, the top federal prosecutor in Massachusetts, is pursuing a separate investigation into the alleged overtime abuse. His office charged three current and former state troopers with embezzlement who are also on the list sent to Healey's office.

The three accused troopers are former Lt. David Wilson, 57, of Charlton; Trooper Gary Herman, 45, of Chester; and former Trooper Paul Cesan, 50, of Southwick.

"Allegations like this where you could have widespread, systemic corruption -- in some ways petty corruption, not showing up for a shift and lying about having worked it -- I think you need someone to look at that because that kind of rot tends to spread," Lelling said.

At a press conference announcing the allegations against the troopers, MassLive asked Lelling if he was pursuing RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization) charges. Lelling declined comment.

RICO charges have traditionally been used in the pursuit of organized crime families.