Rep. Chris Flanagan, the Dennis Port Democrat going through federal fraud fees, was a no-show in the course of the Home’s yearly funds debate, didn’t take part in recorded votes, and filed no amendments to the chamber’s fiscal yr 2026 spending plan.
The second-term lawmaker’s resolution to skip out on one of many Legislature’s few constitutionally mandated jobs drew blended reactions from native Cape Cod representatives, with one Republican within the space calling on Flanagan to resign and Democrats largely avoiding the matter.
“All I can say is, what Chris is going through, he’s going through, and that has nothing to do with me. But I can just help my district,” Rep. Kip Diggs, a Cotuit Democrat whose district borders the western fringe of Flanagan’s, mentioned when requested about Flanagan’s absence this week. “That’s all I can honestly say. It’s unfortunate.”
Diggs didn’t say whether or not Flanagan ought to resign like a collection of Democrats throughout the state, together with state senators from Cape Cod and Gov. Maura Healey, have referred to as on him to do.
“I think the judge told him that he has to keep working,” Diggs advised the Herald Wednesday. “That’s all I can say.”
Flanagan, who’s incomes $82,044 as a politician, was arrested final month by federal authorities on fees he stole tens of 1000’s of {dollars} from a former employer, coated up the thefts, after which used the cash to pay private payments and fund his marketing campaign for elected workplace.
He pleaded not responsible to the accusations throughout a courtroom look in April.
Flanagan was launched on situations that he both preserve his present employment or actively search a brand new job. As a part of his job as a state lawmaker, he sits on 4 legislative committees, together with the Superior Info Know-how, the Web and Cybersecurity Committee.
His lawyer, Greg Henning, didn’t instantly reply questions from the Herald. At Flanagan’s courtroom look final month, Henning mentioned the lawmaker had just lately handled well being points and was returning to his household.
“Mr. Flanagan has been released on no bonds. He’s not in custody. He’s returning to go see his family, his wife, and his three children,” Henning mentioned.
Flanagan confronted a wave of requires him to resign from his publish after his arrest, together with from Sen. Julian Cyr, a Provincetown Democrat who mentioned he was “alarmed and saddened to hear” the costs towards the lawmaker.
Different Cape Cod Democrats didn’t tackle Flanagan’s absence this week when approached by the Herald.
“I haven’t seen him,” Rep. Thomas Moakley, a first-term lawmaker from Falmouth, mentioned when requested about Flanagan’s resolution to not take part within the debate on the Home’s $61 billion funds plan for fiscal yr 2026.
Rep. Hadley Luddy, an Orleans Democrat whose district is to the east of Flanagan’s, walked away from a Herald reporter who requested about his absence.
Rep. Steven Xiarhos, a West Barnstable Republican, mentioned Flanagan’s constituents must be “very concerned” due to the accusations that he faces.
“He’s been indicted by a federal investigation. We’ve all seen the reports. They’re public. He should resign. In the meantime, it’s up to House leadership to deal with whatever is going on right now,” Xiarhos advised the Herald outdoors the Home Chamber.
The Massachusetts Home Ethics Committee plans to open an investigation into Flanagan as soon as his courtroom proceedings wrap up, the pinnacle of the committee mentioned final month.
Rep. Kate Lipper-Garabedian, a Melrose Democrat who chairs the committee, beforehand mentioned that ready for Flanagan’s judicial affairs to “play out to avoid any possible disruption or obstruction to the ongoing criminal proceedings.”
Rep. David Vieira, an East Falmouth Republican who sits on the Home Ethics Committee, didn’t reply questions on Flanagan’s absence.
“As a member of the Ethics Committee, I’m gonna say you have to ask him,” Vieira mentioned.
Home Speaker Ron Mariano mentioned requires Flanagan to resign earlier than his courtroom case is resolved have been “premature,” a stance that set the Quincy Democrat aside from the string of elected officers who publicly urged Flanagan to step down.
“He’s got to look at what he’s going through and whether or not he can effectively be the representative he claimed he would be … I’m waiting for (him) to be convicted so that I know that he’s guilty,” Mariano beforehand mentioned. “I think (the calls to resign are) premature. I think some of the senators who jumped on it is a bit premature. Everyone deserves a trial.”
Home Minority Chief Brad Jones mentioned he seen Flanagan’s absence this week as Home lawmakers labored by way of greater than 1,600 proposed amendments to the state funds.
“I had thought, given everything, that he should step aside for the best interest of his district. I don’t have any more information than that. I mean, I’ve noticed he hasn’t been here, and he’s not somebody I interacted much with either way,” Jones advised the Herald Wednesday.
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