Story perspectives

Lawrence Mayor Brian DePeña Arrested on Fraud Charges

8/15/2026

Summary

Mayor DePeña Arrested

Mayor Brian DePeña of Lawrence, Massachusetts was arrested by FBI agents on Friday and charged with wire fraud and money laundering.
Prosecutors say he obtained over $1.5 million in COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans for his business and used $85,000 for IRS taxes, $90,000 for his campaign and $42,000 from a later loan modification for the campaign.
He was released on recognizance and barred from leaving Massachusetts or obtaining further loans.

Summary

Apostle Crashes Car

Defense attorney Carlos Apostle crashed his car into another vehicle while fleeing reporters outside Moakley Federal Courthouse after Mayor Brian De Peña’s Aug. 14, 2026 arraignment.
Apostle photographed the crash then left, while U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley used De Peña’s arrest to launch fraud.gov, a site tracking pandemic-relief fraud.
De Peña said he would not resign, disclosed prostate-cancer treatment, and labeled campaign deposits as “Candidate Loans” and “Funds Needed for CTE Brian De Peña.”

History

Historical Context

After President Obama signed the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in February 2009, the DOJ used Recovery.gov and a new oversight board to track its funds. Early audits uncovered misappropriations by officials such as a former NYC council aide and a Lawrence mayor, echoing the SBA’s 19.4% loan-failure rate and prompting the launch of fraud.gov for stricter enforcement.

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Mayor DePeña Arrested

Mayor Brian DePeña of Lawrence, Massachusetts was arrested by FBI agents on Friday and charged with wire fraud and money laundering.
Prosecutors say he obtained over $1.5 million in COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loans for his business and used $85,000 for IRS taxes, $90,000 for his campaign and $42,000 from a later loan modification for the campaign.
He was released on recognizance and barred from leaving Massachusetts or obtaining further loans.

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