Boston City Councilwoman Tania Fernandes Anderson has been arrested and charged for allegedly orchestrating “an elaborate kickback scheme” to steal city funds through a staff member related to her.
Fernandes Anderson, 45, was indicted on five counts of aiding and abetting wire fraud and one count of aiding and abetting theft in connection with a program that received federal funds.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI and the IRS announced at a news conference that the council member was taken into custody at her home around 6 a.m. Friday.
According to court documents, Fernandes Anderson, who represents Roxbury, Dorchester, Fenway and part of the South End, hired an individual named “Staff Member A” in late 2022.
The newly hired employee was related to her “but was not an immediate family member.” The councilor denied that they were family members when she hired the employee.
Federal officials believe the pair decided that Fernandes Anderson would award the employee a $13,000 bonus — more than double the amount given to other employees — and that the employee would then pay Anderson $7,000 as a kickback.
After the bonus was deposited into the employee’s bank account, Fernandes Anderson instructed the employee to make separate withdrawals from the bonus check, prosecutors said.
Boston City Councilwoman Tania Fernandes Anderson has been arrested and charged for allegedly orchestrating “an elaborate kickback scheme” to steal city funds through a staff member related to her.
The staff member allegedly made two separate withdrawals of $3,000 from two different bank locations in Boston on May 31, 2023 and June 5, 2023.
The employee then withdrew $4,000 from a third bank in Boston on June 9, 2023, prosecutors said.
“On or about June 9, 2023, at approximately 4:11 p.m., Staff Member A texted Fernandes Anderson, “Bathroom” to inform Fernandes Anderson that Staff Member A was in the bathroom waiting to hand over the $7,000 cash to Fernandes Anderson.” , the complaint said. say.
“Within seconds, Fernandes Anderson texted Staff Member A ‘Ready’ to confirm that Fernandes Anderson was willing to accept Staff Member A’s $7,000 bribe.
“Shortly after these texts, employee A handed over Fernandes Anderson approximately $7,000 in cash in a restroom at City Hall,” according to court documents.
According to the complaint, Fernandes Anderson lied about his relationship to the employee when he was hired.
She also claimed the extravagant bonus was awarded to pay the employee for previous volunteer work.
Despite being paid $115,000 a year, Fernandes Anderson faced financial problems, according to federal officials.
Federal officials believe the pair decided that Fernandes Anderson would award the employee a $13,000 bonus — more than double the amount given to other employees — and that the employee would then pay Anderson $7,000 as a kickback.
‘On or about June 9, 2023, at approximately 4:11 p.m., Staff Member A texted Fernandes Anderson, “Bathroom”, to inform Fernandes Anderson that Staff Member A was in the bathroom waiting to hand over the $7,000 cash to Fernandes Anderson . Within seconds, Fernandes Anderson texted Staff Member A “Ready” to confirm that Fernandes Anderson was willing to accept the $7,000 bribe from Staff Member A,” the documents said.
According to the complaint, Anderson also lied about his relationship to the employee when the hire was made
Documents show Fernandes Anderson missed “monthly rent and car payments,” “incurred overdraft fees” and was hit with a “threatening $5,000 civil penalty from the Ethics Commission.”
Officials also believe that the councilor had all of her staff members sign a non-disclosure agreement.
Last year, state ethics officials said Fernandes Anderson had committed a violation conflict of interest law by hiring her son and sister and increasing their salaries, WCVB reports this.
“When her constituents elected Ms. Fernandes Anderson, she had a fundamental obligation to act with the utmost integrity,” U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy said during Friday’s news conference.
“When they met in that bathroom, Ms. Fernandes Anderson pocketed $7,000. All that money was funded by Boston taxpayers.
“Government officials who line their pockets with taxpayer dollars undermine the trust of the public and the officials who serve them. Public service is a privilege, and all of us in public service have a duty to act with integrity and honesty in all we do.”
Jonathan Wlodyka, acting special agent in charge of the IRS criminal investigation in Boston, added: “She lied to her staff and betrayed her constituents, while at the same time being a strong advocate for greater accountability of public officials.
“In this Commonwealth and in this country, our elected officials work for us, not the other way around.”
FBI Boston Special Agent in Charge Steve Kelleher added, “This is a slap in the face to the hardworking taxpayers in the city of Boston.”
Despite being paid $115,000 a year, the councilman faced financial problems, according to federal officials
Earlier this week, Anderson released her own statement on the investigation, saying she could not comment on the case
Fernandes Anderson will make his first court appearance on Friday at 3 p.m.
According to NBC10several other staffers were aware of the alleged fraud and were waiting for it to become public.
U.S. Attorney Levy said no one else has been charged in the case, but the investigation continues. He also does not rule out additional costs.
“We are investigating other issues surrounding this behavior and other leads,” he said.
Earlier this week, Fernandes Anderson released her own statement on the investigation, saying she could not comment on the case.
“To my people, District 7 voters: You know that I am always transparent with you and always available. My job is to stand up for you and fight for you, and I will continue to do that: the work of the people.
‘Unfortunately I cannot comment on this matter at this time. I’ll be sure to share more with you as soon as I can.
“I am extremely grateful for your continued faith and trust in me. Thank you. I love you, and I will continue to work hard for you.”