Another day, another politician being exposed for rampant corruption.
Don’t let anyone tell you that the Republicans are dirty politicians, when Democrats keep engaging in behavior like this.
At a glance:
- Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson was indicted on federal charges, including wire fraud and theft concerning federal funds.
- Prosecutors allege Fernandes Anderson orchestrated a kickback scheme where a staffer funneled bonus payments back to her in a City Hall bathroom.
- Mayor Michelle Wu and other officials have called for her resignation.
Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson, a Democrat representing District 7, has been indicted on federal charges in connection with an alleged scheme to steal taxpayer funds through kickbacks. The charges—one count of theft regarding programs receiving federal dollars and five counts of wire fraud—have sparked widespread calls for her resignation.
Fernandes Anderson pleaded “not guilty” during a brief court appearance on Friday. Magistrate Judge Donald Cabell appointed a public defender and set her next hearing for January 29.
Kickback Scheme Allegations
According to the indictment, Fernandes Anderson, facing financial struggles in 2023, worked with a relative employed on her staff to misappropriate funds. Federal prosecutors allege she approved a $13,000 bonus for the staffer, who then gave $7,000 of the funds back to Fernandes Anderson in a City Hall bathroom.
“Not only were taxpayer funds being stolen but it was happening right in the building where she works,” said US Attorney Joshua Levy during a press conference at Boston’s federal courthouse. “I think it adds to the egregiousness of the misconduct.”
The FBI detailed the exchange in a court filing: “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.”
FBI Special Agent Jodi Cohen commented on the indictment: “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.”
Stephen Kelleher, FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge, added, “It’s like deja vu all over again. Another Boston city councillor is accused of embracing a culture of cashing in at the expense of the public good.”
Calls for Resignation
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu was one of several public officials to demand Fernandes Anderson step down, citing the gravity of the allegations.
“Like any member of the community, Councilor Fernandes Anderson has the right to a fair legal process,” Wu said in a statement. “But the serious nature of these charges undermine the public trust and will prevent her from effectively serving the city.”
City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune and Councilor Ed Flynn echoed the call for resignation, with Flynn proposing the creation of a council ethics commission to address future issues.
The indictment also drew parallels to the 2008 bribery charges against Chuck Turner, a former District 7 councilor. Turner was convicted in 2010 and later removed from office, though he won a lawsuit claiming the expulsion was inappropriate.
A Legacy of Advocacy and Controversy
Fernandes Anderson’s career has been a mix of historic achievements and ethical controversies. She made history as Boston’s first Muslim and African immigrant city councilor, representing one of the city’s most diverse districts, which includes Roxbury, Dorchester, Fenway, and parts of the South End.
However, her tenure has been plagued by scandals. In 2022, she faced a $5,000 fine from the Massachusetts Ethics Commission after hiring her son and sister to City Hall positions and providing them with substantial raises. More recently, her campaign committee was cited for exceeding contribution limits and failing to disclose deposits in a timely manner.
In one of her more contentious decisions, Fernandes Anderson required staff members to sign non-disclosure agreements as a condition of employment, an action highlighted in the indictment.
The charges against Fernandes Anderson carry significant legal consequences. Each count of wire fraud is punishable by up to 20 years in prison, while the theft charge could result in a maximum 10-year sentence.
Despite the growing calls for her resignation, Fernandes Anderson remains in office for now, awaiting her next court appearance in January.