Massachusetts state Rep. Francisco Paulino arrested on pandemic benefit fraud charges
Published in News & Features
BOSTON — State Rep. Francisco Paulino was arrested by federal agents on pandemic benefit fraud charges Wednesday morning, less than two weeks after another Massachusetts politician – Lawrence Mayor Brian DePena – was arrested by the feds on pandemic loan fraud charges.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office says Paulino, a Democrat representing the 16th Essex District, was taken into federal custody this morning by FBI agents and will be arraigned in Boston federal court.
This comes less than two weeks after DePena was arrested on charges of $1.5 million of pandemic loan fraud and money laundering, allegedly using the stolen funds to pad his campaign account while also paying off nearly $900,000 worth of personal taxes, mortgages on various properties, and high-interest debt.
U.S. Attorney Leah Foley says a separate indictment was also unsealed Wednesday charging DePena with COVID relief fraud.
Both Paulino and DePena are Dominican nationals. It’s unclear if their charges are directly related.
Paulino will be arraigned at 11:00 a.m. in Boston federal court.
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