FBI agents arrested Lawrence, Massachusetts Mayor Brian DePena on Friday on charges of wire fraud and money laundering for allegedly stealing $1.5 million in COVID-19 relief funds meant for small businesses, prosecutors said.

DePena, 61, who was born in the Dominican Republic and first elected mayor of the city about 25 miles north of Boston in 2021 before winning re-election in 2025, is accused of funneling pandemic relief loans through his business, Tenares Tire Services, to pay personal taxes, fund his campaign, and reduce mortgage debt on multiple properties.

"Mayor DePena was elected to be a leader for the City of Lawrence. He was looked up to and trusted by his constituents, but he betrayed that trust through his alleged corruption and lies," said U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley in a Department of Justice statement. "Today's arrest is just another example of our determination to root out fraud by anyone, even public officials and holding elected officials accountable."

What the Right Is Saying

Republican critics have used the arrest to argue for greater oversight of federal spending, particularly regarding COVID-19 relief programs. Conservative commentators have pointed to this case as an example of why fiscal conservatives advocate for stricter controls on government aid programs.

"This is exactly what we warned about when Democrats pushed through billions in unchecked pandemic spending," said one Republican strategist who requested anonymity. "Without proper oversight, these programs become targets for bad actors."

Local Republican officials in Massachusetts have called for a review of how federal relief funds were distributed during the pandemic. The Massachusetts GOP issued a brief statement noting that "public trust must be protected" but did not elaborate further.

Some conservative commentators have also noted the irony of an elected official who struggled with English being entrusted with significant federal resources, though such observations remain separate from questions about program integrity itself.

What the Left Is Saying

Democratic officials and government accountability advocates have pointed to the case as evidence that enforcement mechanisms for pandemic relief programs must be strengthened. Congressional Democrats who championed the COVID-19 relief packages have historically supported robust oversight of federal spending.

Lawrence city council members, many of whom are Democrats, have not issued public statements on the arrest as of publication time. The Massachusetts Democratic Party also declined to comment.

Progressive commentators have noted that while fraud by any public official is unacceptable, cases like this represent isolated incidents rather than systemic issues with COVID relief programs designed to help underserved communities during an economic crisis.

"We need to ensure there are proper safeguards in place," said one unnamed Massachusetts state legislator who spoke on background. "But we also can't let the actions of one individual tarnish programs that helped thousands of small businesses survive."

What the Numbers Show

According to court documents filed by federal prosecutors:

$1.5 million in Economic Injury Disaster Loans allegedly diverted for personal use

$90,000 transferred to "The Committee to Elect Brian DePena" from initial $350,000 loan round

$42,000 additional campaign contribution from second round of loans

$883,293 used to pay down mortgages on properties owned in Lawrence

$85,000 used to pay personal tax debts

DePena faces a potential sentence of more than 20 years in prison if convicted on all charges, along with hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines.

Lawrence has a population of approximately 83% Hispanic residents. DePena told a local outlet in March 2022 that he was still learning English despite living in the United States for decades.

The Bottom Line

The arrest marks one of the most prominent public corruption cases involving COVID-19 relief funds since the pandemic programs were established in 2020 and 2021. Federal prosecutors allege DePena systematically exploited Economic Injury Disaster Loan programs designed to help small businesses survive economic disruptions caused by the pandemic.

DePena does not yet have an attorney representing him in this matter, according to court records. A preliminary hearing date has not been set.

The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts and was investigated jointly by the FBI and the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector General.