Massachusetts State Representative Christopher Flanagan has been arrested following an indictment by a federal grand jury. Flanagan, who represents the First Barnstable District, faces charges of orchestrating a scheme to defraud a local trade association and conceal his activities through falsifying records.
Flanagan, 37, was indicted on five counts of wire fraud and one count of falsifying records. He was taken into custody and is scheduled to appear in federal court in Boston.
The U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts, Leah B. Foley, commented on the case, stating, "Today’s charges against Massachusetts State Representative Christopher Flanagan reveal an appalling breach of public trust."
This arrest follows a detailed investigation into Flanagan's financial conduct between 2019 and 2024. During this period, he served as Executive Officer of a Home Builders Association (HBA) in Cape Cod and allegedly misappropriated funds from the association. The indictment states that these funds were used for personal and political expenses.
Flanagan is accused of transferring $36,000 from the HBA account via various means, including official checks and PayPal transfers. These funds were reportedly used to address personal financial difficulties, such as mortgage payments and credit card debts. Additionally, part of the money was allegedly funneled into his campaign account for his State Representative bid in 2023.
Further allegations include efforts to disguise the withdrawn funds by manipulating the HBA's accounting software and providing falsified expense reports to the Board.
"Today’s arrest of Massachusetts State Representative, Christopher Flanagan, demonstrates that postal inspectors will not permit elected officials to commit fraud and play by different rules," Ketty Larco-Ward of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service stated.
Thomas Demeo of the IRS underscored their commitment to combating public corruption, saying, "Flanagan not only stole from his employer to enrich himself but also to fill the coffers of his campaign in an effort to become an elected official."
Prior to his tenure in the House of Representatives, Flanagan served on the Town of Dennis Select Board. His annual compensation from Massachusetts for the years 2023 and 2024 ranged from nearly $97,546 to $100,945.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dustin Chao and Lauren Maynard. The public is reminded that the charges outlined in the indictment are allegations, and Flanagan is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.