BOSTON (AP) — Tania Fernandes Anderson, a Boston city councilor, was arrested on Friday on federal fraud charges for allegedly stealing part of an inflated bonus payment she gave to a staffer related to her. The exchange occurred in a City Hall bathroom, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.
Anderson, 45, was arrested outside her home on five counts of wire fraud and one count of theft from a federal program. Acting U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy confirmed the arrest, adding that Anderson had been facing financial difficulties, partly due to an ongoing investigation by the Massachusetts State Ethics Commission, which had been looking into a $5,000 fine for Anderson for hiring immediate family members to work in her office. Under state law, council members are prohibited from hiring close relatives as paid staff.
Despite this investigation, Anderson allegedly hired another family member in 2023 to handle constituent services at Boston City Hall, falsely representing there was no familial relationship. Anderson later promised the staffer, referred to as “staff member A” in court documents, a $13,000 bonus, more than double the amount given to other staff members. However, the bonus came with a condition: the staffer was told to hand over $7,000 in cash to Anderson, which she agreed to do.
After taxes, the staffer received around $10,000 in her bank account, which she withdrew in several transactions over May and June 2023. On June 9, Anderson and the staffer met in a City Hall bathroom, where the staffer handed over $7,000 in cash.
The charges against Anderson are serious. Each wire fraud count carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The theft charge carries a penalty of up to 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.
Anderson, who made history as the first African immigrant and first Muslim elected to the Boston City Council in 2021, pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released. She was reelected to her position in 2023. In a statement to her constituents, Anderson remained defiant, claiming, “You know that I am always transparent with you and always available. My job is to show up and fight for you, and I will continue to do just that.”
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu has urged Anderson to resign, stating that the charges “undermine the public trust and will prevent her from effectively serving the city.”
