Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson was arrested on Friday on federal fraud charges, accused of misappropriating public funds by orchestrating a kickback scheme.
As per the news agency Reuters, the US Attorney’s Office revealed that Anderson allegedly funnelled part of an inflated bonus payment to a relative, who then returned a portion of the funds to her during a clandestine exchange in a City Hall bathroom.
Allegations of fraud and financial misconduct
Anderson, 45, faces charges including five counts of wire fraud and one count of theft related to programs receiving federal funds.
According to US Attorney Joshua Levy, a grand jury indicted Anderson earlier this week. Federal prosecutors allege that she granted a $13,000 bonus to a staffer, a relative she had falsely represented as unrelated, on the condition that $7,000 be returned to her in cash.
This exchange reportedly occurred on June 9, 2023, at Boston City Hall.
As per CBS News, Anderson was under financial strain in 2023, with overdue rent and car payments, and had not yet paid a $5,000 fine imposed by the Massachusetts State Ethics Commission for hiring immediate family members.
Despite this previous violation, Anderson allegedly hired another family member to handle constituent services, concealing the relationship to circumvent ethics rules.
Calls for resignation
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has urged Anderson to resign, citing the serious nature of the charges. In a statement, Wu said, “These charges undermine the public trust and will prevent her from effectively serving the city.”
Assistant Federal Public Defender Scott Lauer, representing Anderson, declined to comment. Anderson, who was elected in 2021 and re-elected in 2023, had earlier released a statement to her constituents, assuring them she would continue serving but refrained from addressing the allegations.
This is not Anderson’s first encounter with ethical scrutiny. According to NBC Boston, she previously faced a $5,000 fine for hiring her son and sister to positions within her office, violating conflict-of-interest laws. In one instance, her son received an $18,000 raise within weeks of being hired.
The arrest marks a significant development in Boston politics, reminiscent of former City Councilor Chuck Turner’s conviction on corruption charges in 2010.
As per AP, FBI Special Agent Stephen J Kelleher expressed dismay, stating, “Another Boston City councilor is accused of embracing a culture of cashing in at the expense of the public good.”
Anderson is expected to appear in federal court, with her future as a public servant hanging in the balance amidst mounting calls for accountability.
