Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson was arrested on Friday on federal public corruption charges for allegedly taking a $7,000 kickback. Federal prosecutors have brought charges against her for wire fraud and theft concerning programs receiving federal funds. She is accused of hiring a relative at an inflated salary and receiving a kickback from them. Fernandes Anderson is also accused of lying about her relationship with the staff member to the city.
In response to the charges, Fernandes Anderson pleaded not guilty in court and requested a public defender due to financial constraints. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and other city councilors have called for her resignation in light of the serious charges.
This is not the first time Fernandes Anderson has faced legal issues related to hiring family members. Last year, she was fined for hiring her son and sister in full-time positions on her staff, which violated conflict of interest laws. The newly filed indictment also mentions that she imposed non-disclosure agreements on her staff, suggesting a lack of transparency.
Federal prosecutors have alleged that Fernandes Anderson resorted to corruption due to personal financial difficulties, which included missing rent and car payments, bank overdraft fees, and the unpaid $5,000 fine. Despite these challenges, she was re-elected in November 2023. The case against Fernandes Anderson will continue through legal proceedings while community leaders in Boston demand her resignation.
Source
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image of the presented article.