Massachusetts State Representative Christopher Flanagan has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Boston. The 37-year-old, who represents the First Barnstable District, faces five counts of wire fraud and one count of falsification of records. He was arrested and will appear in federal court this afternoon.
"Today’s charges against Massachusetts State Representative Christopher Flanagan reveal an appalling breach of public trust," stated United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. Flanagan is accused of defrauding a local trade association to cover personal and political costs, including falsifying records to hide his actions.
Federal prosecutors outline that Flanagan allegedly began experiencing financial difficulties in 2021, which led him to siphon $36,000 from the Home Builders Association (HBA) on Cape Cod. He reportedly transferred funds to personal accounts and used them for expenses including campaign financing. Attempting to cover his tracks, Flanagan allegedly entered backdated transactions and fabricated expense reports.
Foley remarked, "No one is entitled to power by way of fraud, and the people of Massachusetts deserve better."
Inspector Ketty Larco-Ward of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service condemned Flanagan's actions, stating, "Flanagan’s egregious betrayal to his positions of trust and his deplorable actions of lining his own pockets for personal or political reasons are unacceptable."
IRS Acting Special Agent in Charge Thomas Demeo expressed commitment to eradicating public corruption, noting that Flanagan "failed his constituents, who trusted in him to uphold the law, by using embezzled funds to become a State Representative."
Aside from his political role, Flanagan served as Executive Officer of the HBA from early 2019 to mid-2024, overseeing banking operations. He previously served on the Town of Dennis Select Board and was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 2022.
The indictment also details his alleged obstruction of an investigation by the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance (OCPF) into a campaign mailer distributed in his 2022 campaign. When questioned, Flanagan purportedly attributed the mailer to a fictional individual.
Each count of wire fraud could result in a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, with falsification of records carrying a similar penalty. Sentencing decisions rely on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and relevant legal statutes.
U.S. Attorney Foley, alongside Inspector Larco-Ward, and IRS Acting Special Agent Demeo, announced the indictment, acknowledging the support of OCPF. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dustin Chao and Lauren Maynard are handling the prosecution.
The allegations against Flanagan remain accusations, and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
