DOJ Arrests Dem State Rep, Charged in Alleged Fraud and Cover-Up Scheme
A Democratic lawmaker in Massachusetts is facing federal charges after allegedly stealing tens of thousands of dollars to bankroll his lifestyle and political ambitions—including payments for “psychic services.”
Christopher Flanagan, 37, of Dennis, was arrested and charged with five counts of wire fraud and one count of falsifying records. He pleaded not guilty in federal court in Boston and has been released pending further proceedings.
In addition to serving as a state representative, Flanagan also worked as executive director of the Cape Cod Home Builders Association (HBA), a position that brought him as much as $81,600 in 2023—on top of his $100,945 taxpayer-funded legislative salary. But despite his dual income, prosecutors said Flanagan was drowning in debt, with overdue credit card bills, missed mortgage payments, and repeated overdraft fees.
Federal prosecutors allege that between November 2021 and January 2023, Flanagan siphoned roughly $36,000 from the HBA through five fraudulent wire transfers.
U.S. Attorney Leah Foley blasted the alleged scheme in a statement:
“Today’s charges against Massachusetts State Representative Christopher Flanagan reveal an appalling breach of public trust. According to the indictment, Mr. Flanagan defrauded the very organization he was supposed to serve – allegedly funneling tens of thousands of dollars into his own pockets to pay off personal bills, buy luxury items and bankroll his political campaign. 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. No one is entitled to power by way of fraud, and the people of Massachusetts deserve better.”
The Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service’s Boston Division, Ketty Larco-Ward, was equally blunt:
“Today’s arrest of Massachusetts State Representative, Christopher Flanagan, demonstrates that postal inspectors will not permit elected officials to commit fraud and play by different rules. Flanagan’s egregious betrayal to his positions of trust and his deplorable actions of lining his own pockets for personal or political reasons are unacceptable. The people of Massachusetts deserve better.”
IRS investigators tied the scheme not only to Flanagan’s personal indulgences but also to his political campaign.
“Flanagan not only stole from his employer to enrich himself, but also to fill the coffers of his campaign in an effort to become an elected official,” said Thomas Demeo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation Boston Field Office. “Flanagan failed his constituents, who trusted in him to uphold the law, by using embezzled funds to become a State Representative and then actively obstructing the investigation into his scheme.”
If convicted, Flanagan faces up to 20 years in prison on each of the wire fraud charges and another 20 years for falsifying records, along with steep fines and supervised release.
This arrest adds to a growing list of high-profile corruption cases pursued by the Department of Justice in recent months. For voters in Massachusetts, it highlights yet another instance of a Democrat lawmaker accused of betraying the public’s trust for personal and political gain.