Corruption is alive and nicely in Massachusetts Democratic politics.
For the second time in the previous few months, the feds have nabbed an elected Democrat and charged them with stealing to fund their private and political coffers.
It’s refreshing to see the newly appointed U.S. Lawyer Leah Foley making public corruption a precedence once more.
What’s it concerning the Massachusetts political tradition that folks really feel they will openly break the regulation and get away with it?
However now they aren’t getting away with it.
Democratic state Rep. Chris Flanagan of Dennis is the newest goal of the feds, and he’s fairly the prize.
The 37-year-old, two-term lawmaker was charged with stealing over $36,000 from his commerce affiliation, funneling a few of that into his marketing campaign account and a few to pay for menswear, an air conditioner and “personal psychic services,” in keeping with the federal indictment.
Flanagan truly went as far as to create an alias named “Jeanne Louise” who he claimed made a mailer for a gaggle known as “Conservatives for Flanagan,” state marketing campaign finance officers mentioned.
There was no such group.
What a instrument. Flanagan one way or the other obtained reelected by the nice voters of Cape Cod final 12 months with 56% of the vote, displaying how ineffectual the state Republican Occasion is. And his district normally votes Republican.
The indictment is simply one more reason individuals don’t belief the federal government.
It comes on the heels of a plea deal reached by the feds and Metropolis Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson, accused of stealing $7,000 from taxpayers in a scheme that occurred in a Metropolis Corridor lavatory. Anderson will get at the least a 12 months in jail and has to resign, however she continues to be clinging to her $120,000-a-year job.
Gov. Maura Healey and Republicans known as on Flanagan to resign too, however don’t maintain your breath. He’s not going to surrender his $100,000 wage that simply. Notably, Home Speaker Ron Mariano didn’t demand Flanagan resign. Lawmakers stick collectively.
Mariano mentioned the Home would “take the appropriate steps if necessary to ensure accountability.”
If crucial? What else do it is advisable know earlier than you resolve to kick Flanagan out of workplace, Mr. Speaker?
The Flanagan arrest begs the query: Is Massachusetts politics attracting the incorrect sort of individuals? Or is the system corrupt?
Stealing and corruption and fraud now look like a part of the political tradition right here.
Fernandes Anderson doesn’t even seem embarrassed by the kickback scheme the feds uncovered, smiling and waving for cameras in Metropolis Corridor on Wednesday and selecting which Democrat-friendly media outlet she provides interviews to.
Flanagan left court docket on Friday in a striped button shirt as he strolled by the cameras and refused to speak.
However get this. His lawyer, already attempting to generate sympathy for Flanagan, mentioned he was recovering from coronary heart surgical procedure.
“He’s just looking forward to getting home and getting some rest,” lawyer Greg Henning mentioned.
Don’t fear. By some means Flanagan goes to be getting loads of relaxation within the close to future.
