DOJ Arrests Massachusetts Democrat on Embezzlement Charges

Federal authorities have arrested Massachusetts State Representative Chris Flanagan on charges of embezzlement, making him the second Democratic lawmaker from the state to face serious legal trouble this week.

According to a statement from U.S. Attorney Leah Foley, Flanagan was taken into custody Friday morning, accused of misappropriating roughly "$36,000" from a former employer. Prosecutors allege that the funds were used to cover "campaign costs," buy "new clothing," and pay off "credit card debt." In response, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey and other prominent Democrats have urged Flanagan to resign.

This marks the second high-profile case involving Massachusetts Democrats this week. Just a day earlier, Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson, known as a "prominent progressive," announced her resignation after pleading guilty to orchestrating a bribe scheme to settle her personal debts. Anderson had made history as the first former undocumented immigrant elected to the Boston City Council.

Per the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Flanagan, 37, allegedly diverted funds over a 14-month span while serving as executive officer of the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Cape Cod. When discrepancies were discovered, Flanagan reportedly confessed, agreed to repay the stolen money, and resigned. The matter was initially investigated by a local Democratic district attorney before being transferred to Foley’s office.

An indictment also claims that during a "closely contested 2023 reelection race"—for a seat previously held by Republicans—Flanagan redirected "$10,000" of the misappropriated funds to boost his campaign finances. Notably, Flanagan had previously been fined "$15,000" for an earlier campaign violation involving a fake outside group called "Conservatives for Chris Flanagan" and the use of a supporter’s pseudonym, "Jeanne Louise," to skirt fundraising laws.

Further allegations reported by the Boston Globe include spending "$537 on campaign t-shirts" and additional purchases such as an electric dryer, an air conditioner, ties, dress shirts, and children’s toys. In a particularly unusual expense, Flanagan allegedly used embezzled funds for "personal psychic services" in July 2022, an act Foley condemned as an "appalling breach of public trust."

A related post from DMA News can be found here:

Authorities further contend that Flanagan forged expense reports submitted to state campaign regulators, falsely claiming that "$10,000" received from the trade group was a legitimate reimbursement. He maintained that the organization had a "practice of allowing Flanagan to withdraw large sums of money for the purpose of expense reimbursement." However, investigators noted that Flanagan’s personal bank account had only "$42.28" a month prior to the deposit, strongly suggesting the transfer could not have occurred without misappropriating funds.

Despite earning over "$97,000 per year" as a state legislator—and an additional "$81,600" annually from his work with the Home Builders Association—Flanagan was reportedly grappling with "substantial credit card debt, missed mortgage payments, and hundreds of dollars in overdraft fees" as early as fall 2021. Investigators allege the thefts began by November of that year.

House Minority Leader Brad Jones, a Republican, emphasized that swift action must be taken: “If he refuses to [resign], then Speaker [Ron] Mariano should immediately authorize and direct the House Ethics Committee to begin proceedings in this matter.”