Trump's Justice Department Arrests Democratic Lawmaker

Massachusetts Rep. Chris Flanagan Indicted on Federal Fraud Charges

Massachusetts State Representative Christopher Flanagan, a Democrat representing the First Barnstable District, has been indicted on multiple federal charges related to wire fraud and falsification of records. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts announced the indictment Friday, following a federal grand jury's findings.

Flanagan, 37, of Dennis, MA, who was arrested Friday morning, is accused of embezzling funds during his tenure as executive officer of the Cape Cod-based Home Builders Association (HBA) from 2019 to 2024. The indictment claims Flanagan siphoned off "tens of thousands of dollars," made "false entries in HBA’s financial bookkeeping records," and misled the organization’s board with "false and misleading HBA financial information." Denise Coffey / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Indictment Alleges $36,000 Misused on Mortgage, Campaign, and Psychic Services

A financial chart included in the court documents indicates that from November 2021 to January 2023, Flanagan wired $36,000—allegedly to cover personal mortgage payments, credit card debt, and to "fund his campaign account." He also used HBA funds to pay for "personal psychic services," an air conditioner, campaign T-shirts, and other personal items, according to prosecutors. Merrily Cassidy/Cape Cod Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Fake Political Endorsement Linked to Flanagan; Admits to Inventing Persona

Flanagan also faces one count of falsifying documents related to a deceptive political mailer. The flyer, attributed to a fictitious group called “Conservatives for Dennis,” endorsed Flanagan and encouraged voters to “vote the person, not the party.” Investigators say Flanagan created a fake persona, “Jeanne Louise,” to obscure the mailer’s true origin. He later admitted to the ruse in October 2023.

Thomas Demeo, acting special agent in charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation in Boston, added that Flanagan “failed his constituents, who trusted in him to uphold the law.” Steve Heaslip / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Foley Slams Flanagan for ‘Appalling Breach of Trust'

Federal prosecutors and law enforcement officials condemned Flanagan’s alleged actions. "Today's charges against Massachusetts State Representative Christopher Flanagan reveal an appalling breach of public trust," said U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley, who accused him of using the HBA as a “personal piggy bank.” Sora Shimazaki / Pexels

Bipartisan Calls Mount for Flanagan to Resign Following Indictment

Prominent political voices on both sides have called for Flanagan’s resignation. Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Kennealy urged Governor Maura Healey to support his resignation, while Democratic State Senator Julian Cyr stated in a post on X, “For the good of his constituents and his family, he must resign.” Sagearbor / Wikimedia

Mariano Calls Charges ‘Extraordinarily Concerning,’ Pledges House Oversight and Accountability

Massachusetts House Speaker Ronald Mariano reportedly called the charges “extraordinarily concerning” in an email to Newsweek, and said the House would “monitor the legal process and take the appropriate steps if necessary to ensure accountability.” Kinga Borondy / Telegram & Gazette / USA TODAY NETWORK

Flanagan Faces Up to 20 Years Per Charge if Convicted in Federal Court

Flanagan is expected to appear in federal court in Boston at 2:30 p.m. Friday. If convicted, each of the six counts—five of wire fraud and one for falsification of records—carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, according to the Cape Cod Times. Denise Coffey / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images