# Legal proceedings and no-confidence vote against Mayor DePeń

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/20260930-legal-proceedings-against-lawrence-mayor-brian-depea
> Updated: 2026-10-21T01:57:21.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 3.

Lawrence Mayor Brian DePeña continues to face significant legal and political challenges. State prosecutors in Massachusetts have expanded their case, with DePeña now facing 15 state charges, including 14 counts of distribution of a wiretapped communication and one count of witness intimidation. These charges stem from allegations that he used a private surveillance system in his office to secretly record city employees and subsequently distributed those recordings.

Simultaneously, DePeña faces federal indictments for money laundering and fraud. Prosecutors allege he misused more than $1.5 million in pandemic-era Economic Injury Disaster Loans to fund personal expenses and his political campaign. 

In response to these legal developments, the Lawrence City Council passed a no-confidence resolution against the mayor. The vote, which passed with five councilors in favor and one opposed, serves as a formal political statement; however, the council does not possess the legal authority to remove him from office. 

Despite the no-confidence vote and increasing calls for a recall election, DePeña has refused to resign. He has maintained his intention to fulfill his term, stating, “I was elected to serve the people of this City, and I intend to continue fulfilling the responsibilities entrusted to me.” He is scheduled to return to state court in December.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-21: Lawrence City Council votes no confidence in Mayor Brian DePeña

The Lawrence City Council passed a no-confidence vote against Mayor Brian DePeña, who faces state wiretapping charges and federal pandemic loan fraud indictments.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lawrence-city-council-votes-no-confidence-in-mayor-brian-depea

### 2026-09-30: Brian DePeña vows to remain Lawrence Mayor amid criminal charges

Lawrence Mayor Brian DePeña announced he will not resign despite facing federal fraud and money laundering charges, as well as state charges for wiretapping and witness intimidation.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brian-depea-vows-to-remain-lawrence-mayor-amid-criminal-charges

### 2026-09-28: Brian DePeña faces new state charges for illegal surveillance

Lawrence Mayor Brian DePeña faces new Massachusetts state charges for illegal audio surveillance of city employees and witness intimidation, following a separate federal fraud investigation.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brian-depea-faces-new-state-charges-for-illegal-surveillance

---
Cite as: Legal proceedings and no-confidence vote against Mayor DePeń. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/20260930-legal-proceedings-against-lawrence-mayor-brian-depea