Federal authorities have apprehended a Massachusetts lawmaker on embezzlement charges, marking the second instance this week in which the state’s Democratic legislators have made headlines for criminal activity.
State Representative Chris Flanagan was arrested Friday morning on allegations that he misappropriated approximately $36,000 from a former employer to cover campaign costs, purchase new clothing, and pay off credit card debt, according to a press release by U.S. Attorney Leah Foley. In response, Democratic Gov. Maura Healey and other state officials have called for his resignation.
Flanagan is the second Democratic lawmaker to face federal charges this week. On Thursday, Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson, a prominent progressive, agreed to resign after pleading guilty to orchestrating a bribe to help pay off personal debt. She is the first former undocumented immigrant to serve on the city council.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s office, Flanagan, 37, misappropriated $36,000 over a 14‑month period while serving as the executive officer of the Home Builders and Remodelers Association on Cape Cod. When the discrepancy was discovered, he allegedly admitted to the theft and pledged to repay the funds. He subsequently resigned, and a local Democratic district attorney’s investigation was handed over to Foley, the Trump administration’s prosecutor for Massachusetts.
The indictment further alleges that in the midst of a closely contested 2023 reelection race for a seat previously held by Republicans, Flanagan diverted $10,000 from the misappropriated funds to supplement his campaign coffers. In an earlier campaign, he faced a $15,000 fine for creating a sham outside group called “Conservatives for Chris Flanagan” and for using a supporter’s pseudonym, “Jeanne Louise,” to unlawfully raise contributions beyond the legal limit.
In addition to these actions, Flanagan reportedly spent $537 on campaign t-shirts and used additional funds to pay down credit card bills, purchase an electric dryer and an air conditioner, and cover various other expenses, including ties, dress shirts, and children’s toys, noted the Boston Globe.
Foley’s office also claimed that Flanagan spent part of the stolen funds on “personal psychic services” in July 2022. The theft represents an “appalling breach of public trust,” she added in a separate statement.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s office, Flanagan forged expense reports submitted to state campaign watchdogs, claiming that the $10,000 he received from a trade group was a valid reimbursement. He also alleged that the group had a “practice of allowing Flanagan to withdraw large sums of money for the purpose of expense reimbursement.”
He deposited the amount into his account on February 23rd, listing it as a “candidate loan.” However, authorities maintained that he could not have engaged in the transfer without misappropriating funds from his employer, given that his personal bank account contained only $42.28 one month earlier, according to the indictment.
Flanagan, who earns more than $97,000 per year as a state legislator, was also receiving an additional $81,600 annually from his role with the Remodelers Association on Cape Cod.
According to U.S. Attorney Foley’s office, Flanagan’s financial troubles began as early as the fall of 2021. Records from that period show he was facing significant credit card debt, missed mortgage payments, and accumulated hundreds of dollars in bank overdraft fees. Authorities allege that by November of that year, he had started stealing from his employer.
“If he refuses to [resign], then Speaker [Ron] Mariano should immediately authorize and direct the House Ethics Committee to begin proceedings in this matter,” House Minority Leader Brad Jones, a Republican, said in a statement.
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