Lawrence Mayor Brian DePeña arrested on federal fraud charges

Lawrence, Massachusetts Mayor Brian DePeña has been arrested on federal charges, including wire fraud and unlawful monetary transactions. Court documents allege that DePeña used Covid-19 relief funds, originally intended for his tire business, to fund his political campaign and settle personal debts.

This arrest follows other recent legal developments involving Democratic officials. Former New Mexico House leader Sheryl Williams Stapleton was convicted on 31 felony charges related to the diversion of school funds to a private company in exchange for kickbacks. Additionally, U.S. Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida was arrested last November on 15 federal counts.