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Trump Admin Arrests Dem Lawmaker

April 11, 2025
by The Times Of America

Trump Admin Arrests Democratic Rep for Embezzling Thousands to Fund Campaign, Psychic Readings

Federal authorities, under the Department of Justice, have arrested Massachusetts Rep. Chris Flanagan (D), accusing him of embezzling approximately $36,000 from a former employer. The charges come just days after another Massachusetts Democratic lawmaker made headlines for criminal activity, adding to the scrutiny facing the state’s leadership.

Flanagan, 37, allegedly stole the funds while working as executive officer for the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Cape Cod. The money was purportedly used to cover a range of personal expenses, including campaign costs, clothing and credit card debt. 

According to U.S. Attorney Leah Foley, the theft occurred over a 14-month period, and $10,000 of the stolen sum was funneled into Flanagan’s re-election campaign in 2023.

Flanagan’s actions are believed to have started in November 2021, when he began taking money from the organization, according to Trending Politics. His alleged scheme involved falsifying expense reports submitted to state campaign watchdogs. 

Flanagan falsely claimed that the $10,000 he received from the organization was for “reimbursement expenses,” despite the fact that his personal bank account showed just $42.28 a month before the deposit, according to the indictment. 

Investigators allege that Flanagan’s personal financial troubles, including missed mortgage payments and mounting credit card debt, led him to steal from the Home Builders and Remodelers Association.

The stolen money was spent on a variety of personal items, including new clothing, an electric dryer, air conditioner and children’s toys. The most bizarre expense, however, was a $537 payment for “personal psychic services” in July 2022. 

In addition to the embezzlement charges, Flanagan’s history of campaign finance violations added fuel to the fire. In 2022, he was fined $15,000 for falsifying records related to his campaign, including creating a fake group, “Conservatives for Chris Flanagan” and using a pseudonym to solicit funds above the legal limit. 

Following Flanagan’s arrest, Gov. Maura Healey (D) and other state officials swiftly called for his resignation. However, Speaker of the Massachusetts House Ron Mariano (D-MA) has yet to publicly address the matter. 

House Minority Leader Brad Jones (R-MA) demanded that the House Ethics Committee begin proceedings if Flanagan refuses to step down.

Flanagan, who has served as a state lawmaker since 2021, is now facing significant legal and political consequences. He was making over $97,000 annually as a representative and an additional $81,600 while working for the Home Builders and Remodelers Association, according to TP. 

The timing of Flanagan’s arrest is particularly significant, coming just days after another Massachusetts Democrat, Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson, pled guilty to charges of bribery. Anderson orchestrated a scheme to bribe someone to pay down personal debt, leading to her resignation from the council, as TTOA previously reported. 

This series of scandals has raised questions about the integrity of Massachusetts’ Democratic leadership, especially as both lawmakers were involved in actions that violate public trust, according to TP.

In response to Flanagan’s arrest, Foley condemned his actions, calling the theft an “appalling breach of public trust.” She emphasized that no one, especially public officials, is entitled to power through fraud. 

The stolen funds, she stated, were meant for the very organization Flanagan was supposed to serve, but instead, they were diverted to pay for his personal expenses and bolster his political career.

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