Latest news with #HomeBuildersandRemodelersAssociationofCapeCod
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Mass. House Dem leaders giving Cape Cod rep facing charges ‘room to look in the mirror'
Calls for Dennis Democratic Rep. Chris Flanagan's resignation have streamed out of Beacon Hill since he was arrested on federal fraud charges Friday morning — from nearly every office except those of his House higher-ups. Flanagan pleaded not guilty to five counts of wire fraud and one count of falsification of records at Boston's Moakley Courthouse on Friday afternoon. Prosecutors allege that Flanagan defrauded his former employer, the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Cape Cod, to pay for personal and political expenses and then falsified campaign finance records. The calls for Flanagan to resign are bipartisan, but they have not come from House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano, D-3rd Norfolk, the Democratic leader whose voice could carry significant influence among the noise. Mariano said Friday that the House 'will continue to monitor the legal process as it plays out, and will take the appropriate steps if necessary to ensure accountability.' One of his closest deputies, House Ways and Means Chairperson Aaron Michlewitz, doubled down on Mariano's wait-and-see approach in an interview that aired this weekend. 'Certainly this is very troubling, very concerning. It erodes the public's trust even further, which I think is always a concern of ours,' Michlewitz, D-3rd Suffolk, told 'On the Record' hosts during an interview taped Friday morning that aired Sunday on WCVB-TV. Read More: Mass. GOP calls for resignation of state rep. arrested on fraud charges Friday Late last week, calls for Flanagan's resignation came from fellow Democrats in the Cape and Islands delegation, Sens. Julian Cyr, D-Cape and Islands, and Dylan Fernandes, D-Plymouth/Barnstable. Democratic Gov. Maura Healey said the same, adding that the allegations 'cast doubt on his ability to faithfully serve his constituents.' On the other side of the aisle, House Minority Leader Brad Jones, R-20th Middlesex, and the MassGOP have urged House Democrats and Mariano to push Flanagan to resign, or act to remove him from office. So far, House leadership is leaving that decision in the Dennis Democrat's hands. 'He's the one that was elected and so he has to make a determination of whether he can stay in that seat,' Michlewitz said. 'But he certainly has to take a look in the mirror and realize what is best for his constituents." The U.S. has a political violence problem. Can we solve it before it's too late? | John L. Micek U.S. Rep. McGovern demands Trump officials give answers on visa revocations Mass. Gov. Healey has a GOP challenger. 3 big questions we're asking | Bay State Briefing SNL spoofs Trump administration, family and 'The White Lotus' in new skit Trump administration says it will exclude some electronics from reciprocal tariffs
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Dennis Rep. Flanagan arrested, indicted on fed fraud charges
BOSTON (SHNS) – Rep. Christopher Flanagan of Dennis was arrested Friday morning after being indicted by a federal grand jury on charges that he allegedly orchestrated a multi-pronged scheme to defraud a local trade association of tens of thousands of dollars to be used to fund personal and political expenses, then falsifying records to conceal that alleged conduct. 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.
