BOSTON (AP) — A Democratic state lawmaker in Massachusetts was arrested and charged Friday with defrauding a trade association of tens of thousands of dollars and then falsifying records to cover up the scheme. Christopher Flanagan, of Dennis, Massachusetts, was indicted Friday on five counts of wire fraud and one count of falsification of records. […]
U.S.
Massachusetts lawmaker charged with defrauding a trade group and trying to cover it up
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BOSTON (AP) — A Democratic state lawmaker in Massachusetts was arrested and charged Friday with defrauding a trade association of tens of thousands of dollars and then falsifying records to cover up the scheme.
Christopher Flanagan, of Dennis, Massachusetts, was indicted Friday on five counts of wire fraud and one count of falsification of records. He was due in court later Friday.
Prosecutors said Flanagan stole nearly $40,000 from the Home Builders Association where he was an executive officer between 2021 and 2023. Flanagan was having financial problems and used the funds to pay personal mortgage bills, credit card debt as well as psychic services, authorities said.
Flanagan is also accused of trying to cover up the fraud by accessing the association’s computer system using another employee’s account, backdating transactions to account for the stolen money and entering false transaction codes for the withdrawals. He also told the association board that he withdrew funds to reimburse himself for expenses and provided fake expense reports when he was asked for proof, authorities. said.
“Today’s charges against Massachusetts State Rep. Christopher Flanagan reveal an appalling breach of public trust,” U.S. Attorney Leah Foley said in a statement. “He allegedly stole money and then went to extraordinary lengths to cover it up, going so far as fabricating fake personas to mislead those who questioned his conduct. This alleged scheme was calculated on every level.”
Flanagan could not be reached for comment but his attorney, Greg Henning, said he expected his client to enter a not guilty plea Friday in federal court.
Several of the state’s top political leaders called for Flanagan to resign.
“These are serious allegations against Representative Flanagan that threaten to undermine the important work of the Legislature and cast doubt on his ability to faithfully serve his constituents,” Democratic Gov. Maura Healey said in a statement. “He should resign.”
House Speaker Ronald Mariano said the chamber will monitor the case and take any steps needed for accountability. He said the allegations were “extraordinarily concerning, and undermine public trust in the Legislature.”