Massachusetts Mayor Arrested, Charged with Pandemic Loan Fraud, Money Laundering
Federal prosecutors say Brian DePeña used pandemic loans for campaign spending, taxes and debt, with authorities alleging more than $1.5 million was misused.
- Lawrence Mayor Brian DePeña was arrested Friday on federal charges of wire fraud and money laundering for allegedly diverting more than $1.5 million in pandemic-era small business loans to fund his campaign and personal expenses.
- In 2020 and 2021, DePeña applied for Economic Injury Disaster Loans for Tenares Tire Services Inc., his tire business, but by early 2021 faced mounting personal financial strain including back taxes and nearly $900,000 in mortgage debts.
- Prosecutors allege DePeña used $85,000 in EIDL funds for personal tax debts and $90,000 for checks to 'The Committee to Elect Brian DePeña,' while using $883,293 to pay off high-interest mortgages on Lawrence properties.
- U.S. Attorney Leah Foley stated the mayor 'betrayed' his constituents' trust; FBI Special Agent Ted E. Docks accused DePeña of treating emergency funds as his 'own personal ATM' and promised prosecution.
- DePeña faces up to 20 years in prison on the wire fraud charge and is scheduled to appear in Boston federal courthouse later Friday, following a May search warrant at City Hall.
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NEWS HEADLINES: FBI Arrests Massachusetts Mayor — Prosecutors Reveal Where $1.5 Million COVID Loan Went – 100PercentFedUp.com – by Jack
The FBI has arrested the sitting mayor of Lawrence, Massachusetts. And the federal case is not about a bookkeeping error or a technical campaign-finance violation. Prosecutors say Mayor Brian DePena turned a taxpayer-backed COVID relief loan into a personal financial escape hatch. DePena, 61, was arrested Friday and charged with one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering. The charges concern more than $1.5 million in Economic Inju…
‘Corruption and lies’: Dem mayor charged in alleged $1.5M pandemic-era loan fraud and money-laundering scheme
Brian A . DePeña The Democratic mayor of Lawrence, Mass. has been arrested and faces charges for allegedly fraudulently obtaining more than $1.5 million in pandemic-era small-business loans and misusing the money, the Department of Justice said Friday. Brian DePeña, 61, was charged with one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering...
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