Federal prosecutors dropped a political bombshell with the arrest of Massachusetts State Rep. Chris Flanagan (D), who now faces serious fraud charges.
Flanagan was indicted for allegedly stealing tens of thousands of dollars from the Cape Cod Home Builders Association (HBA), his former employer, while using the money to fund personal bills, campaign expenses, and even “psychic services,” according to federal prosecutors.
The Justice Department charged Flanagan with five counts of wire fraud and one count of falsifying records. He pleaded not guilty in a Boston federal courtroom and was released with strict conditions.
A federal judge barred Flanagan from gambling, incurring over $5,000 in credit card debt, or opening new credit lines over that amount without court approval. The judge also mandated that Flanagan either keep his current job or actively seek new employment.
“The government believes that certain conditions related to the defendant’s finances are necessary in this case,” prosecutors wrote in a July 22 court filing. Flanagan’s defense team agreed to the restrictions.
His attorney, Greg Henning, acknowledged the gambling and credit restrictions were already part of the release agreement and were just being formalized, per the Conservative Brief.
Prosecutors allege Flanagan wired approximately $36,000 from the