State Rep. Flanagan Arrested For Using Stolen Funds

BREWSTER – Massachusetts State Representative Christopher Flanagan, D–Dennis, was arrested last Friday morning for allegedly using stolen funds for mortgage and credit card payments, campaign funding, and personal expenditures including psychic services, menswear and an air conditioner.

The arrest came after the initial investigation, which began late last year, was turned over to the United States Attorney’s office for the District of Massachusetts in January. 

Flanagan was charged with five counts of wire fraud and one count of falsification of records, according to a press release issued Friday by the Department of Justice. He was arraigned in federal court in Boston Friday afternoon. Since his arrest, his office has not made any official statement on his future as a Massachusetts representative. 

The Mass GOP called for Flanagan to resign, calling him unfit to hold office.

“This is not the first time the Massachusetts Republican Party has called for Chris Flanagan to resign,” said MassGOP Chairwoman Amy Carnevale in a statement on April 11. “Back in January, when the Office of Campaign and Political Finance found Flanagan responsible for violating campaign finance laws — including fabricating a false alias to intentionally mislead his constituents — we said then that he had no place in public office. The federal charges only confirm what was already evident: Chris Flanagan is unfit to serve, and Massachusetts Democrats must demand his resignation now.”

Last year, the Yarmouth Police Department investigated fraudulent activity allegedly involving Flanagan, releasing a heavily redacted report that said “inconsistencies were prevalent” when Flanagan used a business account to issue “checks written to himself” and “several withdrawals totaling about $36,000.” On a separate section of the report labeled “other properties,” an amount of $26,500 was listed as “stolen.” 

Before his time working in the state legislature, Flanagan served as the executive officer of the Home Builders Association (HBA) on Cape Cod, a trade association that represents the building industry. He was said to have signatory authority over the bank accounts. 

In October 2021, Flanagan was allegedly facing personal financial troubles, including “outstanding credit card debt, missing mortgage payments and hundreds of bank overdraft fees,” according to the justice department press release. Wire transfers via PayPal indicated $36,000 in funds were sent from the HBA’s bank account to Flanagan’s personal account.

In 2023, he allegedly used $10,000 from the HBA account to fund his campaign for state representative. “It is further alleged that, in addition to stealing HBA funds via official checks and PayPal transfers, Flanagan also stole hundreds of dollars via direct debit transactions from the association’s bank account funds to pay for personal psychic services in July 2022,” the press release reads.  

Flanagan allegedly concealed the fraudulent transfers by logging into another employee’s account and entering backdated transactions for “office supplies,” “travel,” and “bank charges” that met the total sum. He also allegedly provided fake expense reports to cover the costs, saying he was reimbursing himself for out-of-pocket expenses for the company. 

Around $2,000 in “office supplies” was found to have allegedly paid for an electric dryer, an air conditioner, men’s ties, dress shirts, pants, sport coats and children’s clothes and toys. 

In 2022, the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance investigated fraudulent campaign mailers from a group called “conservatives for Dennis.” The mailers supported Flanagan’s campaign and were allegedly made by him. He allegedly created a false persona named “Jeanne Louise,” a member of the group, to obstruct the investigation. 

According to the press release, the charges of wire fraud each provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of falsification of records provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. 

“These are serious allegations against Representative Flanagan that threaten to undermine the important work of the Legislature and cast doubt on his ability to faithfully serve his constituents,” Governor Maura Healey said in a statement. “He should resign." 

“Today’s charges against Massachusetts State Representative Christopher Flanagan reveal an appalling breach of public trust,” United States Attorney Leah B. Foley said in a statement. 

The statement continued, “According to the indictment, Mr. Flanagan defrauded the very organization he was supposed to serve — allegedly funneling tens of thousands of dollars into his own pockets to pay off personal bills, buy luxury items and bankroll his political campaign. He allegedly stole money and then went to extraordinary lengths to cover it up, going so far as fabricating fake personas to mislead those who questioned his conduct. This alleged scheme was calculated on every level. No one is entitled to power by way of fraud, and the people of Massachusetts deserve better.”

Calls to Flanagan’s office for comment were not returned.