FBI Arrests Non-English-Speaking Mass. Mayor On Wire Fraud Charges
A bizarre story out of Massachusetts dominated the newswires overnight for its various twists, turns, and details that would defy even the most creative fiction author.
Lawrence, Mass., Mayor Brian DePeña was arrested by the FBI Friday morning at his home and charged with allegedly misusing more than $1.5 million in COVID-era small-business loans, according to federal prosecutors.
Advertisement
A criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Boston accuses DePeña of wire fraud and money laundering. Prosecutors allege he obtained federal pandemic relief funds intended for his tire business but diverted the money for personal and political expenses.
“Mayor DePeña was elected to be a leader for the City of Lawrence. He was looked up to and trusted by his constituents, but he betrayed that trust through his alleged corruption and lies,” U.S. Attorney Leah Foley said.
Advertisement
“Today’s arrest is just another example of our determination to root out fraud by anyone, even public officials and holding elected officials accountable,” she added, per NBCBoston.
According to the complaint, DePeña allegedly used portions of the funds to support his mayoral campaign, pay personal tax obligations, and pay down more than $880,000 in high-interest mortgages tied to properties he owned in Lawrence.
Advertisement
Federal prosecutors said the loans were obtained through the Small Business Administration’s pandemic relief programs, which were designed to help businesses affected by COVID-19-related economic losses. Authorities allege the funds were instead used for expenses unrelated to the stated purpose of the loans.
DePeña, 61, was elected mayor of Lawrence in 2021 and won reelection in 2025. Before becoming mayor, he served on the Lawrence City Council from 2016 to 2021.
Foley accused DePeña of betraying the trust of Lawrence residents while emphasizing that federal authorities would continue pursuing allegations of fraud involving public funds, regardless of the defendant’s position.
DePeña appeared in federal court Friday and was released under conditions, including surrendering his passport and restrictions on seeking new loans without court approval. He has not entered a plea.
If convicted, he faces up to 30 years in prison.
Video of his appearance has left more questions than answers, as a chaotic scene appeared to unfold outside the courtroom.
According to eyewitnesses and video, a vehicle carrying DePena appeared to run into the rear of another vehicle, before backing up and then eventually leaving the scene – which is a crime in most jurisdictions.
Advertisement
Asked by Telemundo Nueva Inglaterra what message he had for the people of Lawrence, DePeña said in Spanish, “I love them, and they know I am an honest and decent man.”
Also, other reports claimed that the mayor, bizarrely, cannot speak any English.
Advertisement
The mayor has denied wrongdoing and indicated he does not intend to step down while the case proceeds.
“Of course. Anyone can be accused. People get accused of anything,” DePena told Telemundo.
“My enemies have accused me. What haven’t they made up about me?”
Advertisement
The charges come as federal investigators continue to pursue alleged misuse of pandemic relief programs, which distributed hundreds of billions of dollars nationwide and have resulted in numerous fraud prosecutions involving individuals, businesses, and public officials.
FBI Boston Special Agent in Charge Ted Docks wrote in a statement, “when elected officials misuse federal funds for personal gain, they’re breaking the trust of their constituents — and breaking the law.”
BREAKING: Dolly Parton’s Cause Of Death Revealed: ‘Brief Battle’
Dolly Parton’s death came after a brief battle with cancer, her representatives revealed Tuesday.
The country music legend died Aug. 25 at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville. She was 80.
Parton had been admitted to the cancer center Friday, four days before her death. Her representatives confirmed the cancer diagnosis in a statement to PEOPLE but did not disclose what type she had.
“Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched. Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand,” the statement read.
“Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly’s unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact. After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones,” the statement concluded.
The “Jolene” singer had also been dealing with kidney and autoimmune issues before her death, PEOPLE previously reported.
Just days earlier, Dolly Parton opened up about her declining health and acknowledged that she had put off addressing some medical issues while caring for her husband, Carl.
“As I’ve shared in video messages throughout the past year, I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over [my husband] Carl. You know, this isn’t the first time I’ve had to manage something like this. Back in the early ’80s, I was down for several months with female issues, and I was struggling with my weight at the time too, so it’s not like I haven’t been through hard times with my health,” Parton told PEOPLE.
Her nephew, Bryan Seaver, announced her death in an Instagram video Tuesday on behalf of the Parton and Owens family.
“My name is Bryan Seaver, son of Cassie Parton, and I’m representing the Parton and Owens family today announcing the passing of my aunt, Dolly Rebecca Parton Dean, Sister, Sis and Granny to one generation and Gigi to the next,” he says in the video.
Seaver, who served as Parton’s head of security for more than two decades, said she had asked him years earlier to deliver the announcement.
“This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality,” he continued. “As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father Larry held before me, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now.”
Seaver said the moment brought immense pride and heartbreak, but he took comfort in his faith that Parton had been reunited with Carl and other loved ones.
Seaver added: “It is an honor, an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness. But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly. Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents and countless othe
