Leftist Democrat Arrested By Feds Over Bribery Scheme

Federal authorities have arrested a leftist Democratic city councilwoman in Boston after being accused of defrauding the city and giving kickbacks to a family member on her staff. 

Tania Fernandes Anderson, who immigrated to the U.S. illegally from Cape Verde, was charged by the Justice Department with five counts of wire fraud and one count of stealing federal funds, including a charge for providing a $13,000 bonus to an unnamed relative she employed at city hall. The two allegedly shared the money.

“The charges stem from an alleged kickback scheme she orchestrated to obtain several thousand dollars in taxpayer money in exchange for bribes paid,” said U.S. Attorney Joshua Levy on Friday. 

The indictment alleged that at the time of the illegal activity, Fernandes Anderson was “facing personal financial difficulty,” including missing rent and car payments and a civil penalty from her previous ethics violation, in which she was fined for hiring her sister and son.

Prosecutors say that Fernandes Anderson hatched a scheme to hire a family member and pay them a $13,000 bonus. An email included in the indictment shows her falsely claiming to a Boston official that the staffer was not related to her. Investigators said Fernandes Anderson took $7,000 in cash during a drop in a city hall bathroom.

“On or about June 9, 2023, at approximately 4:11 p.m., Staff Member A texted Fernandes Anderson, ‘Bathroom’ to let Fernandes Anderson know that Staff Member A was waiting in the bathroom to hand the $7,000 cash to Fernandes Anderson,” the indictment said. “Within seconds, Fernandes Anderson texted Staff Member A, ‘Ready’ to confirm that Fernandes Anderson was ready to accept the $7,000 cash kickback from Staff Member A.”

“When they met in that bathroom, Ms. Fernandes Anderson put $7,000 in her pocket,” Levy said. “All of that money was funded by the taxpayers of Boston.”

The indictment also accused Fernandes Anderson of embezzling money from a federal grant program meant for the city of Boston. 

On Wednesday, after news broke that she may have been under investigation, Fernandes Anderson said she couldn’t comment on the allegations. 

“To my people, District 7 constituents: You know that I am always transparent with you and always available. My job is to show up and fight for you, and I will continue to do just that–the people’s work,” the city councilor said. “Unfortunately, I am not able to comment on this matter at this time. As soon as I can, I will be sure to share more with you.”

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Fernandes Anderson, who was elected in 2021, has become known for her racially charged rhetoric and calls for “a revolution” to combat “systemic racism.” 

“I can’t even call you cowards because desperation deserves mercy. Your votes here sometimes are racist … I am here to represent every black woman and man in the community … What the f*** do I have to do in this f***ing council to get respect as a black woman,” Fernandes Anderson said to fellow council members during a meeting in August 2023.

She was set to appear before a federal judge Friday afternoon.