Dem politician charged with embezzlement
Federal authorities have arrested a Massachusetts lawmaker on embezzlement charges, marking the second time in a single week that the liberal state’s Democratic lawmakers have garnered major headlines for criminal activity.
State Representative Chris Flanagan was arrested Friday morning on charges that he embezzled approximately $36,000 from a former employer to pay for campaign expenses, new clothes, and credit card debt, according to a press release by U.S. Attorney Leah Foley. The arrest prompted Governor Maura Healey and other state officials to call for his resignation.
The U.S. Attorney’s office stated that Flanagan, 37, stole $36,000 over a 14-month period while working as executive officer for the Home Builders and Remodelers Association in Cape Cod. When the missing money was discovered, Flanagan allegedly admitted to the theft and promised to pay it back.
He resigned from his role at the company, and an investigation by the local Democratic district attorney was eventually turned over to Foley, the Trump administration’s prosecutor for Massachusetts.
Details in the indictment allege Flanagan took $10,000 from the sum and added it to his 2023 campaign coffers when he was locked in a tight reelection race to keep a seat previously held by Republicans. During his previous campaign, he had been fined $15,000 for falsifying an outside group called “Conservatives for Chris Flanagan” and using the pseudonym of a supporter — “Jeanne Louise” — to raise cash for his campaign above the legal limit.
Flanagan also spent $537 on t-shirts for his campaign and used additional funds to pay down credit card bills, buy an electric dryer and air conditioner, and make an array of other purchases, including ties, dress shirts, and children’s toys, according to the Boston Globe.
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This is making Chris Flanagan look like a real crooked politician. The resignation appears to be called for.
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