Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson has agreed to plead guilty to federal public corruption charges related to an alleged kickback scheme involving a City Council staff member. The charges include one count of wire fraud and one count of theft concerning a program receiving federal funds. Although a plea hearing remains unscheduled, the government is proposing a sentence of one year and one day in prison, a $13,000 restitution, and three years of supervised release.
Fernandes Anderson, serving Boston's District 7, first took office in 2021, with a re-election in 2023. The case, as documented in indictments from December 2024, involves illegal hiring practices, misuse of funds, and state ethics violations. Notably, she allegedly hired two immediate family members, breaching City Council rules, and continued with misleading hiring practices.
In late 2022 and early 2023, facing financial hardships, Fernandes Anderson reportedly devised a kickback arrangement. She promised a significant bonus to Staff Member A, with an understanding that part of this bonus would be returned to her. Consequently, a $13,000 bonus was processed, exceeding total bonuses given to other staff members.
The alleged scheme unfolded when Staff Member A deposited the cheque and subsequently withdrew cash in instructive amounts across May and June 2023. Fernandes Anderson reportedly received $7,000 in cash at Boston City Hall.
The signed plea agreement also highlights that Fernandes Anderson filed fraudulent federal tax returns for 2021, 2022, and 2023, namely excluding $11,000 in income and mismanaging campaign funds on these returns.
Wire fraud may lead to a maximum 20-year prison sentence and a $250,000 fine, while theft concerning federal funds could result in up to 10 years in prison, supervised release, and a substantial fine.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley, together with FBI Special Agent Jodi Cohen, and acting IRS Special Agent Thomas Demeo. Assistant U.S. Attorneys John T. Mulcahy and Dustin Chao are handling the prosecution.
These details are allegations, and as with all legal proceedings, Fernandes Anderson remains presumed innocent until proven otherwise.