Cape Cod rep. charged with fraud faces new counts

"Federal prosecutors say a Massachusetts state representative stole $36,000 from the Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Cape Cod while serving as the group’s executive officer between 2019 and 2024. Authorities say he used the money to pay mortgage bills, credit card debt, campaign expenses, menswear, home appliances, and “personal psychic services,” according to a press release."

"Investigators say the alleged scheme ran for 14 months, between November 2021 and January 2023, through wire transfers, direct debit transactions, and unauthorized withdrawals from the organization’s bank accounts. Officials also claim Flanagan faked records and created phony personas to conceal the alleged thefts."

"One of those purported cover-ups involved a political mailer sent out during Flanagan’s 2022 campaign for state rep. Prosecutors say Flanagan created a fake identity connected to a group called “Conservatives for Dennis” to hide his involvement in the mailer. Flanagan previously paid campaign finance penalties tied to the incident, according to prosecutors."

"State Rep. Christopher Flanagan, a 38-year-old Dennis Democrat who represents the First Barnstable District, was initially indicted in April 2025 on five counts of wire fraud and one count of falsifying records. Federal prosecutors announced Friday that additional charges of wire fraud, money laundering, and filing false tax returns have now been filed against him."

Federal prosecutors allege a Massachusetts state representative stole $36,000 from the Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Cape Cod while serving as executive officer from 2019 to 2024. Prosecutors say the funds were used for mortgage payments, credit card debt, campaign expenses, menswear, home appliances, and “personal psychic services.” Authorities allege the scheme lasted 14 months from November 2021 to January 2023 using wire transfers, direct debit transactions, and unauthorized withdrawals from the organization’s bank accounts. Prosecutors also allege falsified records and concealment through fake personas, including a political mailer tied to the 2022 campaign. Additional charges include wire fraud, money laundering, and filing false tax returns.

Read at Boston.com