Dennis Rep. Flanagan arrested, indicted on fed fraud charges
The Democrat is expected in federal court in Boston at 2:30 p.m. Friday, where the U.S. attorney's office said he will face five counts of wire fraud and one count of falsification of records. The charges stem from his time working as executive officer of the the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Cape Cod, from early 2019 to mid-2024.
'Today's charges against Massachusetts State Representative Christopher Flanagan reveal an appalling breach of public trust. According to the indictment, Mr. Flanagan defrauded the very organization he was supposed to serve – allegedly funneling tens of thousands of dollars into his own pockets to pay off personal bills, buy luxury items and bankroll his political campaign. He allegedly stole money and then went to extraordinary lengths to cover it up, going so far as fabricating fake personas to mislead those who questioned his conduct. This alleged scheme was calculated on every level,' U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Leah Foley said. 'No one is entitled to power by way of fraud, and the people of Massachusetts deserve better.'
An attorney for Flanagan could not immediately provide comment Friday morning.
State regulators last spring concluded that Flanagan violated campaign finance law and then lied about it to officials. As a result, the Flanagan campaign purged $10,580 in excess contributions and paid a $6,000 penalty. Flanagan also agreed to pay a personal penalty of $9,000.
In January, Barnstable police announced they received a complaint in October alleging 'potential criminal activity' involving Flanagan and the 'Chris Flanagan for State Representative for the 1st Barnstable District' campaign. The department said the office of the U.S. attorney for Massachusetts 'adopted the investigation' in December.
When word of the federal investigation became public in January, the Massachusetts Republican Party called on Flanagan to resign from the House, or for House Democrats to expel him. Flanagan responded by dinging the MassGOP for 'political mudslinging.'
Flanagan cruised to reelection in November, winning 56% of the vote against Republican challenger Gerald Joseph O'Connell, who earned 43%.
House Speaker Ronald Mariano's office did not immediately respond to a request for reaction from the speaker.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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