{"id":2649928,"date":"2026-08-26T12:29:02","date_gmt":"2026-08-26T16:29:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/massachusetts-state-legislator-indicted-on-covid-19-federal-fraud-charges\/"},"modified":"2026-08-26T12:40:33","modified_gmt":"2026-08-26T16:40:33","slug":"massachusetts-state-legislator-indicted-on-covid-19-federal-fraud-charges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/massachusetts-state-legislator-indicted-on-covid-19-federal-fraud-charges\/","title":{"rendered":"Massachusetts state legislator indicted on COVID-19 federal fraud charges"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fmassachusetts-state-legislator-indicted-on-covid-19-federal-fraud-charges%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2649928&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A Massachusetts state lawmaker, Democrat Rep. Francisco Paulino, has been arrested on federal charges of fraud adn money laundering for allegedly illegally obtaining COVID-19 relief funds. Court documents claim he used his tax preparation business, Madison Tax, to carry out schemes involving unemployment benefits and COVID disaster loans between April 2020 and December 2021. Prosecutors allege Paulino fraudulently secured over $700,000, including filing false unemployment claims in a relative\u2019s name, altering loan applications, and illegally increasing a business\u2019s disaster loan, which he then used for personal gains such as a mortgage. He is also accused of lending money at high interest rates and overstating business revenues to obtain relief funds. The indictment highlights similarities to another recent case involving Lawrence Mayor Brian DePena, who is also accused of fraudulently obtaining over $1.5 million in COVID relief funds and diverting them for personal and political purposes. Authorities emphasize their broader crackdown on COVID relief fraud, stating that such crimes deprive genuine applicants of aid and portray the pandemic as a &#8220;cash cow&#8221; for dishonest officials.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/massachusetts\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"344\">Massachusetts<\/a> state lawmaker was arrested Wednesday on federal charges accusing him of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/fraud\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"3188\">fraudulently<\/a> obtaining<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/covid-19\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"11163\"> COVID-19<\/a> relief funds and funneling money into personal and business accounts.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">State Rep. Francisco Paulino, a Democrat who represents portions of Lawrence and Methuen, was indicted on charges of wire fraud and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/money-laundering\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"4188\">money laundering<\/a>, according to court documents.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/crime\/4700854\/golden-gate-bridge-protester-charge-drop-safety-hazard-drivers-concern\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Felony charges against Golden Gate Bridge protesters dropped<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/crime\/4700505\/eight-dead-montana-family-dinner-shooting\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Eight dead, including four children, after Montana man opens fire at family dinner<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/crime\/4700449\/guillotine-truck-arrest-dc-capitol-police\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Man with guillotine in bed of truck arrested by Capitol Police<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Federal prosecutors allege Paulino used his tax preparation company, Madison Tax, to carry out a scheme from approximately April 2020 through December 2021 involving unemployment benefits and Economic Injury Disaster Loans, a federal program expanded during the pandemic to help struggling businesses, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/htv-prod-media.s3.amazonaws.com\/files\/paulinoindictment-6a8ed9e98d1d1.pdf\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/htv-prod-media.s3.amazonaws.com\/files\/paulinoindictment-6a8ed9e98d1d1.pdf\">according to <\/a>court documents.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Paulino\u2019s charges come less than two weeks after Lawrence Mayor Brian DePena was arrested in a separate pandemic-relief fraud case. DePena is accused of fraudulently obtaining more than $1.5 million in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/covid-19\/\">COVID-19<\/a> small-business <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/loans\/\">loans<\/a> and diverting the money to his political campaign and personal debts. His arraignment date has not yet been released.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">U.S. District Attorney for Massachusetts Leah Foley alleged Paulino fraudulently obtained over $700,000 in federal benefits to \u201cline his own pockets.\u201d She also noted the similarity to DePena\u2019s case, as they abused similar programs.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI think it should be clear now that we are taking fraud seriously in Massachusetts, from SNAP and housing fraud to voter fraud to pandemic relief fraud,\u201d Foley said at a press conference on Wednesday. \u201cWe are dialed in and laser-focused on rooting out every bit we find. We will continue to hold fraudsters accountable until the stealing stops. It is never a proud moment when we arrest a public official, but we will continue to do it until the message is received.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The indictment alleges Paulino filed a fraudulent unemployment claim in a 77-year-old relative\u2019s name that resulted in approximately $44,000 in benefits. Prosecutors also allege he submitted or altered applications for federal disaster loans involving his business and clients.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In one instance, prosecutors allege a Lawrence laundry business owner who spoke limited English entrusted Paulino with personal information, tax matters, and access to online banking. Paulino allegedly secured an increase in the business owner\u2019s federal disaster loan without the owner\u2019s knowledge, then later asked him for a $200,000 loan. The money was then transferred to Madison Tax and allegedly used toward a mortgage on a Lawrence property, according to the indictment.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Foley said Paulino used the money he <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/illegal-immigrants-among-15-charged-in-massachusetts-fraud-crackdown\/\" title=\"Illegal immigrants among 15 charged in ... fraud crackdown\">allegedly fraudulently obtained<\/a> to loan out to individuals through his business at a high interest rate.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhether if it was his own money, he could have loaned it out at whatever rate he wanted,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s illegal because he signed documents attesting that that money was going to be used for working capital in a business, not to profit off the backs of other people.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Prosecutors also accuse Paulino of overstating the revenue of Jackson Enterprise, which operated a Heav\u2019nly Donuts location in Lawrence, to secure relief funds.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4687991\/lawrence-massachusetts-mayor-charged-laundering-covid-19-racket\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4687991\/lawrence-massachusetts-mayor-charged-laundering-covid-19-racket\/\">MASSACHUSETTS MAYOR CHARGED WITH LAUNDERING $1.5 MILLION IN COVID-19 LOAN RACKET<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While separate cases, special agent in charge of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/fbi\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"516\">FBI\u2019s<\/a> Boston Field Office Ted Docks said the two public officials both abused COVID-19 programs intended to help everyday citizens and business owners.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSimply put, both men are accused of treating the COVID-19 pandemic as their own personal cash cows,\u201d Docks said. \u201cAt a time when job losses were fast and furious, and so many people get help quickly, these relief programs were intended to assist workers, families, and businesses suffering massive economic upheaval. We believe every dollar these men fraudulently obtained was $1 denied to someone who genuinely needed that assistance.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Docks said both cases started from a \u201cvariety of sources we have in the community.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Mass. lawmaker Francisco Paulino faces COVID relief fraud charges<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4130,"featured_media":2649929,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP25308670471710.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[70216,36411,4199,5610,5894],"class_list":["post-2649928","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-covid-19-fraud","tag-federal-charges","tag-legislature","tag-massachusetts","tag-politics"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP25308670471710.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2649928","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4130"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2649928"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2649928\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2649932,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2649928\/revisions\/2649932"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2649929"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2649928"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2649928"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2649928"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}