Boston Metropolis Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson was arrested on federal public corruption costs Friday, prompting Mayor Michelle Wu to name for the second-term Democrat handy in her resignation.
Fernandes Anderson, who made historical past as the primary Muslim and first African immigrant to serve on town council, was arrested by the FBI “for allegedly orchestrating a kickback scheme in which she stole thousands of dollars in taxpayer money for herself,” Jodi Cohen, FBI particular agent in cost in Boston, stated in an announcement.
The 45-year-old politician is accused of giving a staffer “extra pay in the form of a large bonus” and telling that individual — recognized as “Staff Member A” in courtroom paperwork — that they “would have to give a portion of the bonus back to Fernandes Anderson,” prosecutors stated.
That staffer, in keeping with the indictment unsealed Friday, was a relative of the councilor, regardless that she “falsely represented” that the 2 weren’t associated.
In early Could 2023, Fernandes Anderson requested a bonus cost of $13,000 for Workers Member A, which prosecutors say was “more than twice as large as the total amount of all bonus payments to Fernandes Anderson’s other staff combined.”
By early June, the staffer had withdrawn $10,000 of the bonus cost over three financial institution transactions, in keeping with the indictment.
Instantly following the ultimate money withdrawal — $4,000 on June 9 — “Fernandes Anderson and Staff Member A arranged to meet at a bathroom at City Hall” the place the staffer gave Fernandes Anderson $7,000 in money, in keeping with prosecutors.
“Tania Fernandes Anderson was elected to serve the citizens of Boston, but today we arrested her for allegedly orchestrating a kickback scheme to enrich herself through the misappropriation of city funds,” stated Jonathan Wlodyka, appearing particular agent in control of the IRS Legal Investigation, Boston Area Workplace.
“Elected officials are held to a higher standard when they take an oath to serve, but to Fernandes Anderson, her oath meant nothing when she allegedly chose to steal from the City of Boston and her constituents,” Wlodyka stated.
Shortly after the councilor’s arrest, Wu issued an announcement calling for her resignation.
“Like any member of the community, Councilor Fernandes Anderson has the right to a fair legal process. But the serious nature of these charges undermine the public trust and will prevent her from effectively serving the city,” she stated in keeping with NBC Boston. “I urge Councilor Fernandes Anderson to resign.”
Fernandes Anderson appeared briefly in courtroom on Friday, the place she pleaded “not guilty” to all six costs — 5 counts of wire fraud and one rely of theft regarding applications receiving federal funds.
A standing listening to was set for Jan. 29 and she or he was allowed to be launched with out posting bail underneath sure circumstances, in keeping with the Boston Globe.
If convicted, Fernandes Anderson may withstand 20 years in jail, three years of supervised launch and a positive of as much as $250,000 for every rely of wire fraud. The theft cost carries a penalty of as much as 10 years in jail, three years of supervised launch and a positive of as much as $250,000.
Final 12 months, Fernandes Anderson admitted to violating conflict-of-interest legislation by hiring her sister and son shortly after she was sworn in to the Boston Metropolis Council in 2022. In keeping with the State Ethics Fee, she appointed her son as her full-time workplace supervisor at an annual wage of $52,000, then elevated his wage to $70,000 simply 11 days later.
She agreed to pay a $5,000 civil penalty.
Initially Revealed: December 6, 2024 at 2:30 PM EST
