BREAKING: Rep. Christopher Flanagan Indicted on Federal Fraud Charges; Ethics Probe Launched
In a stunning development shaking Beacon Hill, Massachusetts State Representative Christopher Flanagan (D-Barnstable) is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee after being hit with federal charges of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
Federal prosecutors allege that during his tenure as Executive Director of the Massachusetts Broadband Institute, Flanagan orchestrated a scheme involving falsified invoices and unauthorized payments totaling over $75,000, which were funneled directly into his personal bank account.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office unsealed a criminal complaint on Friday, citing “serious breaches of public trust.” The charges include:
- Two counts of wire fraud
- One count of aggravated identity theft
According to the complaint, Flanagan is accused of fabricating vendor information to execute the fraudulent transactions.