The Daily BS • Bo Snerdley Cuts Through It!
The Daily BS • Bo Snerdley Cuts Through It!

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Massachusetts mayor busted in $1.5M fraud case — his lawyer claims he ‘doesn’t speak English’

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BS BULLETIN

  • Lawrence Mayor Brian DePeña faces federal wire fraud and money laundering charges over more than $1.5 million in COVID-era business loans.
  • Prosecutors say money went toward personal taxes, his mayoral campaign and more than $880,000 in high-interest mortgages.
  • His lawyer’s viral “he doesn’t speak English” remark has added another bizarre chapter to the scandal.

Federal charges against Lawrence, Massachusetts, Mayor Brian DePeña were already ugly. Then came the courthouse exit — and somehow the story got even stranger.

The latest fallout reached Lawrence City Hall Tuesday night, where the City Council held its first public meeting since DePeña’s arrest. The city attorney assured residents that city funds were not involved in the alleged scheme, and councilors rejected a proposal to discuss the mayor’s legal troubles behind closed doors after residents objected. DePeña has pleaded not guilty and remains mayor.

Federal prosecutors accuse the 61-year-old Democrat of fraudulently obtaining more than $1.5 million in taxpayer-backed Economic Injury Disaster Loans for Tenares Tire Services, his Lawrence tire and automotive business. Those COVID-era loans were supposed to help struggling businesses survive the pandemic.

According to the Justice Department, however, DePeña allegedly found some rather creative definitions of “business expenses.”

Prosecutors say $85,000 went toward his personal IRS tax debt, while money from the loans was transferred into personal accounts and eventually into his political operation. The government alleges DePeña wrote checks totaling $90,000 to “The Committee to Elect Brian Depena” during his successful 2021 campaign. He is also accused of using $883,293 to pay off two high-interest loans secured by properties he owned.

The FBI’s Ted Docks described the relief money as assistance for struggling businesses, “not Mr. Depena’s own personal ATM.” And prosecutors say taxpayers are still waiting for their money. As of Aug. 5, DePeña had made only 16 payments on the EIDL, while the outstanding principal remained roughly $1.65 million.

But it was what happened after DePeña’s court appearance that turned the case into a national story. When reporters approached the mayor, DePeña offered blessings while his attorney, Carlos Apostle, told the press: “He doesn’t speak English, no comment.” The remark quickly exploded online, with critics asking how the elected mayor of a Massachusetts city could supposedly be unable to answer questions in English.

Local reporting captured an even more chaotic scene. Apostle complained about the press scrum and accused reporters of treating his client differently because of race — and then, while attempting to drive away, struck the bumper of a parked vehicle. You really couldn’t script this one.

DePeña was elected mayor in 2021 and reelected in 2025 after serving on the Lawrence City Council beginning in 2016. Following his federal court appearance, he was released under conditions that included surrendering his passport and refraining from applying for additional loans without government approval. The charges remain allegations, and DePeña is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Wire fraud carries a potential maximum sentence of 20 years, while money laundering carries up to 10 years.

MY QUICK TAKE

Ah, COVID relief. Remember when Washington was throwing around taxpayer money like beads at Mardi Gras and anybody asking where it was going was treated like some kind of heartless monster?

Well, the bill keeps arriving.

Prosecutors say money intended to rescue a tire business somehow developed legs and wandered over to the IRS, a mayoral campaign and nearly $900,000 worth of high-interest property debt. That’s not “economic injury disaster relief.” That’s allegedly Brian DePeña’s Financial Makeover, courtesy of the American taxpayer.

But the pièce de résistance has to be the lawyer announcing, “He doesn’t speak English, no comment.”

Sir, your client is the mayor. And then the getaway car hits another car. At that point, somewhere in Hollywood, a screenwriter throws his laptop against the wall because reality has once again become impossible to parody.

DBS WIRE SOURCES:

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