A campaign mailer for Flanagan that the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance investigated. Photo: U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Massachusetts State Rep. Christopher Flanagan was arrested by federal authorities on Friday for allegedly defrauding a local trade association of tens of thousands of dollars.
Flanagan, of Dennis, was indicted on five counts of wire fraud and one count of falsification of records. He pleaded not guilty to all six charges in Boston federal court Friday afternoon and was released with conditions.
The Democrat currently represents the First Barnstable District, which includes the towns of Dennis, Yarmouth and Brewster. He was elected to his first two-year term in 2022, after serving two consecutive three-year terms on the Town of Dennis Select Board.
Flanagan was also executive officer of the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Cape Cod until last year. Massachusetts U.S. Attorney Leah Foley said over a 14-month period from 2021 to 2023, he stole $36,000 from the association through wire transfers.
Foley said the charges “reveal an appalling breach of public trust” and that “the people of Massachusetts deserve better.”
He used the money to pay his mortgage and credit card debt, along with funding his campaign account, according to Foley.
Authorities said the $10,000 campaign expense covered campaign T-shirts, but also an electric dryer, an air conditioner, clothing and children’s toys.
Flanagan also allegedly paid for “personal psychic services” in 2022.
The Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance launched an investigation into a campaign mailer for Flanagan in December 2022, belonging to a group called “Conservatives for Dennis.”
Flanagan allegedly covered up the fact that he paid for the mailer by pinning the blame on a false persona he created called “Jeanne Lousie,” according to the campaign finance office.
Investigators said they eventually found that the $10,000 in his campaign account had come from his personal funds, which he stole from the association.
Each wire fraud charge carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
House Minority Leader Brad Jones called for Flanagan’s resignation on Friday, and said he requested the House Ethics Committee investigate Flanagan in January. Jones said if Flanagan doesn’t resign, the committee must launch an investigation this time.