Massachusetts State Representative Chris Flanagan was arrested Friday morning on federal embezzlement charges after prosecutors alleged he stole approximately $36,000 from a former employer to cover campaign expenses, personal debt, and shopping purchases.
BREAKING: Democrat State Rep. Christopher Flanagan has been arrested on federal fraud charges. pic.twitter.com/n4hpUBM09M
— Ian Jaeger (@IanJaeger29) April 11, 2025
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U.S. Attorney Leah Foley announced the charges in a press release, calling the theft an “appalling breach of public trust.”
The arrest marks the second time in one week that a Democratic official in Massachusetts has faced federal criminal charges.
Flanagan, 37, is accused of embezzling funds while serving as executive officer for the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Cape Cod between 2021 and 2022.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the theft occurred over a 14-month period and was used to fund parts of Flanagan’s 2023 reelection campaign, which targeted a historically Republican seat.
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When the financial discrepancies were discovered, Flanagan reportedly admitted to the theft and pledged to repay the funds.
He later resigned from the Cape Cod organization.
The local district attorney, a fellow Democrat, eventually referred the investigation to Foley, who was appointed during the Trump administration and now oversees federal prosecutions in Massachusetts.
Federal prosecutors allege that $10,000 of the stolen money was funneled directly into Flanagan’s campaign account.
That sum was labeled a “candidate loan” and deposited on February 23, despite Flanagan’s bank account holding just $42.28 the previous month, according to the indictment.
The funds were disguised as a reimbursement from the association, with Flanagan claiming the group had a practice of allowing cash withdrawals for reimbursement purposes — a claim prosecutors say was false.
Additional expenditures from the stolen funds allegedly included $537 for campaign t-shirts, credit card payments, an electric dryer, an air conditioner, clothing, children’s toys, and what the indictment describes as “personal psychic services” used in July 2022.
🚨🚨And this is,
Another Democrat,
Massachusetts State Representative Chris Flanagan arrested on charges that he embezzled approximately $36,000 from a former employer, for personal expenses —$974.94 for an electric dryer and air conditioner, $1,050.30 for menswear at Macy’s,… pic.twitter.com/BbJRwjKrpy
— 🇺🇸RealRobert🇺🇸 (@Real_RobN) April 11, 2025
This is not the first time Flanagan’s campaign finances have come under scrutiny.
During a previous race, he was fined $15,000 for creating a fake outside group, “Conservatives for Chris Flanagan,” and for using a false identity — “Jeanne Louise” — to solicit campaign contributions beyond legal limits.
Flanagan, whose salary as a state representative exceeds $97,000, also earned $81,600 in his position with the home builders association.
According to prosecutors, financial records show he began experiencing personal financial difficulties in late 2021, including significant credit card debt, missed mortgage payments, and repeated overdraft fees.
By November of that year, authorities say Flanagan began misappropriating funds from his employer.
Governor Maura Healey and several state leaders called on Flanagan to resign immediately following the charges.
“The people of Massachusetts deserve better,” U.S. Attorney Foley said in her statement.
“Mr. Flanagan defrauded the very organization he was supposed to serve. This alleged scheme was calculated on every level.”
#BREAKING 🚨Mass. State Rep. Christopher Flanagan arrested on federal fraud charges. Allegedly used stolen funds for campaign funding, mortgage and credit card payments, psychic services, menswear. Defendant to appear in Boston federal court @ 2:30 PM.https://t.co/9coIisVBxD pic.twitter.com/ZcM4lX2axQ
— U.S. Attorney Massachusetts (@DMAnews1) April 11, 2025
House Minority Leader Brad Jones, a Republican, also urged action. “If he refuses to [resign], then Speaker [Ron] Mariano should immediately authorize and direct the House Ethics Committee to begin proceedings in this matter,” Jones said.
Speaker Mariano, the leading Democrat in the state legislature, has not yet called for Flanagan to step down.
Flanagan is the second Massachusetts Democrat to face federal charges this week. On Thursday, Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson agreed to resign after pleading guilty to organizing a bribe scheme to pay off personal debts.
Anderson, a progressive and former illegal immigrant, was the first person of her background to serve on the city council.
Flanagan’s legal proceedings are expected to move forward in the coming weeks.
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