BOSTON (AP) — A Boston city councilor on Tuesday agreed to plead guilty to federal corruption charges after prosecutors accused her of taking most of an inflated bonus that she paid to a relative who worked for her.
Under the agreement, Tania Fernandes Anderson will plead guilty to one count each of wire fraud and theft concerning a program receiving federal funds, the U.S. attorney’s office said in a statement. In exchange, prosecutors dropped four wire fraud counts against the 46-year-old lawmaker, who in 2021 became the first African immigrant and Muslim American elected to the council.
Anderson told Boston 25′s Drew Karedes that she intends to resign from her post, calling it “the right thing to do.”
“In coming days, I will evaluate transition plans and timeline with the District 7 Advisory Council,” Anderson said. “I will do everything possible to make an orderly exit to ensure my constituents’ needs are met.”
Anderson was going through financial difficulties in 2023, partly because the Massachusetts State Ethics Commission told her it would fine her $5,000 for hiring immediate family members, Levy said. Council members aren’t permitted to hire immediate family members as paid staff.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu called for Fernandes’ resignation months ago after the District 7 City Councilor’s arrest in December
“It’s an incredibly unfortunate situation. Residents of District 7 and across the city rightly should have representation and public officials rightly should be held to a high standard,” Wu said. “There are already strict rules in place surrounding financial management and ethics.”
According to prosecutors, Anderson told her relative that she would give her a $13,000 bonus, which was more than twice as much as the combined bonuses she gave to the rest of the staff. After taxes, the staffer received about $10,000. She withdrew the money in several bank transactions in May and June of 2023 before exchanging texts to meet Anderson in a City Hall bathroom that June 9, where she gave Anderson $7,000 of the money.
The government is seeking a sentence of one year and one day in prison followed by three years of supervised release and restitution in the amount of $13,000. Anderson could have faced up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on each of the fraud charges. The theft count carried a penalty of up to 10 years and a fine of up to $250,000.
After she was originally charged, Anderson only said she would continue “fight” for her constituents and refused to step down, despite calls from several colleagues to do so.
“I think it’s critical for the city council to regain our credibility,” District 2 City Councilor Ed Flynn said.
“It’s inevitable. We know she’s guilty now. She needs to deal with everything,” At-large Councilor Erin Muphy added. “The public needs to trust us and these types of actions just tear away at that trust.”
Anderson’s full statement provided Tuesday can be read below:
“I have decided to plead guilty and resolve the case brought against me. I would like to apologize to my constituents, supporters, and all who have been impacted.
Please forgive me.
I will be resigning. It is the right thing to do. In coming days, I will evaluate transition plans and timeline with the District 7 Advisory Council. I will do everything possible to make an orderly exit to ensure my constituents’ needs are met.
I will have more to say at the appropriate time in court but I will not be commenting further beyond this statement. I pray that the press will respect my privacy, as well as the privacy of my family.”
— Tania Fernandes Anderson
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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