BOSTON, MA - On Friday, December 6th, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents arrested City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson on charges of public corruption.
According to Fox News, Fernandes Anderson was under investigation by federal authorities and on the morning of her arrest, FBI agents were seen outside her home in Dorchester. Fernandes Anderson, a Democrat, is facing five counts of wire fraud and one count of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds. Since her arrest, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has called for the councilor to resign.
Fernandes Anderson represents District 7, which includes the Boston neighborhoods of Roxbury, Dorchester, Fenway, and a portion of the South End. Prior to serving as a councilor, she served as the executive director of Bowdoin Geneva Main Streets, a parent advocate with the Boston Public Schools, worked for a women's shelter, was a business owner, and a social worker.
Court documents filed by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts states that federal prosecutors alleged that in late 2022, Fernandes Anderson hired a staff member that was related to her and then defunded the city by proposing an arrangement in which that person would receive "additional compensation but would kickback most of this bonus pay."
The filing, which was obtained by the Boston Globe, says, "From in or about early to mid-2023, Fernandes Anderson was facing personal financial difficulty, which included missing monthly rent and car payments, an impending $5,000 civil penalty from the Ethics Commission, and incurring bank overdraft fees, which resulted in Fernandes Anderson maintaining low daily bank balances."
The document added, "On or about June 9, 2023, at approximately 4:11 p.m., Staff Member A texted Fernandes Anderson, 'Bathroom' to let Fernandes Anderson know that Staff Member A was waiting in the bathroom to hand the $7,000 cash to Fernandes Anderson. Within seconds, Fernandes Anderson texted Staff Member A, 'Ready' to confirm that Fernandes Anderson was ready to accept the $7,000 cash kickback from Staff Member A."
Prosecutors said, "Shortly following these texts, Staff Member A handed Fernandes Anderson approximately $7,000 cash at a bathroom in City Hall."
The filing also says that Boston City Councilors are not allowed to hire immediate family members to their paid staff, yet in 2022, Fernandes Anderson hired two such individuals. Prosecutors said that Fernandes Anderson later fired both those employees and was informed by the Ethics Commission that she had to pay a $5,000 fine relating to that incident.
In November, the Massachusetts' Office of Campaign and Political Finance informed her campaign that it took contributions over the legal limit and failed to file deposit information in a timely fashion. In a statement, Special Agent in Charge Jodi Cohen said, "Her behavior, as alleged in today's indictment, is a slap in the face to the hardworking taxpayers in the city of Boston who have every right to expect that the city's funds are in good and honest hands."
Cohen added, "This case illustrates how the FBI and our partners are working hard every day to battle public corruption and the corrosive damage it does to people's faith in government."
In a statement, Boston Mayor Wu said, "Like any member of the community, Councilor Fernandes Anderson has the right to a fair legal process. But, the serious nature of these charges undermines the public trust and will prevent her from effectively serving the city. I urge Councilor Fernandes Anderson to resign."
NBC Boston reported that Fernandes Anderson released a statement, which said, "To my people, District 7 constituents: You know that I am always transparent with you and always available. My job is to show up and fight for you, and I will continue to do just that - the people's work. Unfortunately, I am not able to comment on this matter at this time. As soon as I can, I will be sure to share more with you."
According to Fox News, Fernandes Anderson was under investigation by federal authorities and on the morning of her arrest, FBI agents were seen outside her home in Dorchester. Fernandes Anderson, a Democrat, is facing five counts of wire fraud and one count of theft concerning programs receiving federal funds. Since her arrest, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has called for the councilor to resign.
Fernandes Anderson represents District 7, which includes the Boston neighborhoods of Roxbury, Dorchester, Fenway, and a portion of the South End. Prior to serving as a councilor, she served as the executive director of Bowdoin Geneva Main Streets, a parent advocate with the Boston Public Schools, worked for a women's shelter, was a business owner, and a social worker.
Court documents filed by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts states that federal prosecutors alleged that in late 2022, Fernandes Anderson hired a staff member that was related to her and then defunded the city by proposing an arrangement in which that person would receive "additional compensation but would kickback most of this bonus pay."
The filing, which was obtained by the Boston Globe, says, "From in or about early to mid-2023, Fernandes Anderson was facing personal financial difficulty, which included missing monthly rent and car payments, an impending $5,000 civil penalty from the Ethics Commission, and incurring bank overdraft fees, which resulted in Fernandes Anderson maintaining low daily bank balances."
The document added, "On or about June 9, 2023, at approximately 4:11 p.m., Staff Member A texted Fernandes Anderson, 'Bathroom' to let Fernandes Anderson know that Staff Member A was waiting in the bathroom to hand the $7,000 cash to Fernandes Anderson. Within seconds, Fernandes Anderson texted Staff Member A, 'Ready' to confirm that Fernandes Anderson was ready to accept the $7,000 cash kickback from Staff Member A."
Prosecutors said, "Shortly following these texts, Staff Member A handed Fernandes Anderson approximately $7,000 cash at a bathroom in City Hall."
The filing also says that Boston City Councilors are not allowed to hire immediate family members to their paid staff, yet in 2022, Fernandes Anderson hired two such individuals. Prosecutors said that Fernandes Anderson later fired both those employees and was informed by the Ethics Commission that she had to pay a $5,000 fine relating to that incident.
In November, the Massachusetts' Office of Campaign and Political Finance informed her campaign that it took contributions over the legal limit and failed to file deposit information in a timely fashion. In a statement, Special Agent in Charge Jodi Cohen said, "Her behavior, as alleged in today's indictment, is a slap in the face to the hardworking taxpayers in the city of Boston who have every right to expect that the city's funds are in good and honest hands."
Cohen added, "This case illustrates how the FBI and our partners are working hard every day to battle public corruption and the corrosive damage it does to people's faith in government."
In a statement, Boston Mayor Wu said, "Like any member of the community, Councilor Fernandes Anderson has the right to a fair legal process. But, the serious nature of these charges undermines the public trust and will prevent her from effectively serving the city. I urge Councilor Fernandes Anderson to resign."
NBC Boston reported that Fernandes Anderson released a statement, which said, "To my people, District 7 constituents: You know that I am always transparent with you and always available. My job is to show up and fight for you, and I will continue to do just that - the people's work. Unfortunately, I am not able to comment on this matter at this time. As soon as I can, I will be sure to share more with you."
For corrections or revisions, click here.
The opinions reflected in this article are not necessarily the opinions of LET
Comments