Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson arrested on federal charges

Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson was arrested on federal charges Friday, accused of hiring a family member against city rules and then taking some of that family member’s bonus pay for herself.

Fernandes Anderson was indicted on five counts of aiding and abetting wire fraud and one count of theft in connection with the use of federal money through her role on the City Council. Altogether, the charges carry a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.

Prosecutors say Fernandes Anderson conducted a kickback scheme using bonuses given to staff members. In 2022, she provided a new staff member — a person related to her, whom they did not name — with a $13,000 bonus with the understanding that she would receive some of the money back, according to text messages documented the
an indictment.

The indictment also says that in June of last year, Fernandes Anderson arranged to meet with the staff member in a Boston City Hall bathroom, where the staffer gave her $7,000 in cash.

“As alleged, not only were these taxpayers funds being stolen, it was happening right in the building where she works,” acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts Joshua Levy said during a press conference Friday morning.

During her initial court appearance Friday afternoon, Fernandes Anderson pleaded not guilty to all six counts and was granted a conditional release.

The councilor entered the courtroom wide-eyed, wearing a floral hijab, red puffer coat, yellow skirt, tennis shoes and a black handbag. As she spoke, she addressed the judge in a soft voice and was, at times, tearful.

During the 15-minute proceedings, Judge Donald L. Cabell appointed Fernandes Anderson assistant federal public defender Scott Lauer to represent her, with the understanding that she may have to pay for the service at a later time.

Attorneys for the federal government did not protest Fernandes Anderson’s release with conditions that include the surrender of her passport and firearms — her son, who is a member of the armed services, has at least one firearm at her house. The release conditions also include refraining from any contact with potential victims or witnesses in the case. Judge Cabell explained that she also cannot engage in any conduct that “might be viewed as an obstruction of justice,” or else imperil her release.

After the proceedings, the councilor, her attorney and multiple friends pushed through a chaotic throng of reporters and repeatedly declined to comment.

Fernandes Anderson was elected to the council in 2021. She represents District 7, which covers Roxbury.

On Friday morning, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu called on Fernandes Anderson to remove herself from the council.

“I urge Councilor Fernandes Anderson to resign,” said Wu in a statement. “Like any member of the community, Councilor Fernandes Anderson has the right to a fair legal process. But the serious nature of these charges undermine the public trust and will prevent her from effectively serving the city.”

Others inside City Hall reacted with concern, but stopped short of calling for Fernandes Anderson’s removal.

“My initial thoughts were that the allegations are troubling, however, councilor Fernandes Anderson is entitled to due process,” Councilor Ed Flynn told GBH News.

Flynn noted that Fernandes Anderson’s arrest follows a series of “legal and ethical lapses” by members of the council over the last several years. Those include one former councilor who pleaded guilty to driving with a suspended license in connection with a crash in 2023 and another who violated state conflict of interest law by representing his brother in a lawsuit. The lapses, Flynn said, “have both reflected poorly on the city and distracted us from doing the people’s business.”

“I think it’s critical for the public to know that elected officials have been placed in positions of public trust and we must work to provide positive and ethical leadership,” Flynn said.

Later in the day, Flynn and several other councilors followed the mayor’s lead and called for Fernandes Anderson’s resignation.

Last year, Fernandes Anderson admitted to an ethics violation and agreed to pay a $5,000 fine for hiring family members for positions in her office, including bringing her son on as an office manager with a $70,000 annual salary, according to the state ethics commission.

In the Friday press conference about the federal charges, authorities referenced that ethics violation and said Fernandes Anderson was facing personal financial difficulty when she allegedly defrauded taxpayers.

“When faced with financial hardship and that State Ethics Commission $5,000 sanction, Ms. Fernandes Anderson chose to violate her fiduciary duty and defraud the city of Boston, the indictment alleges, rather than find a legal means to pay off that debt,” Levy said.

Boston FBI special agent in charge Steve Kelleher noted the similarities between the allegations against Fernandes Anderson and similar fraud charges brought more than 15 years ago against the city councilor who once held her seat, Chuck Turner.

“It’s like déjà vu all over again,” Kelleher said. “Another Boston city councilor is accused of embracing a culture of cashing in at the expense of the public good.”

Jonathan Wlodyka, acting special agent in charge of IRS’ criminal investigations at the Boston field office, said financial crimes are not victimless.

“The victims are the taxpayers whose money was used for the enrichment of one instead of the greater good of all,” Wlodyka said. “Public funds are essential for funding social welfare programs, the education of our children and ensuring our communities are kept safe.”