Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson, originally from Cape Verde, was arrested on December 6 by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on corruption charges.
Fernandes Anderson, who represents the neighborhoods of Roxbury, Dorchester, and parts of South Boston, faces five counts of wire fraud and one count of theft related to federally funded programs, according to an 11-page federal indictment.
“The charges stem from an alleged bribery scheme she orchestrated to pocket thousands of dollars in taxpayer funds in exchange for kickbacks,” stated federal prosecutor Joshua Levy during a press conference.
FBI Special Agent Steve Kelleher added, “This feels like déjà vu—another Boston City Councilor prioritizing personal gain over the public good.”
Accusations of Hiring Family Members and Accepting Bribes
Federal investigators allege that Fernandes Anderson hired a family member in late 2022 to work in her office, despite rules prohibiting such appointments.
She reportedly struck a deal to provide this family member with a $13,000 bonus, on the condition that a portion of it would be returned to her as a bribe.
Court documents indicate that Fernandes Anderson accepted $7,000 in kickbacks from the employee during a meeting in a City Hall bathroom on June 9, 2023.
The indictment includes text messages that investigators say corroborate the scheme.
This is not the first time Fernandes Anderson has faced scrutiny for hiring family members.
In 2023, she admitted to violating ethics rules by employing her sister and son in her office, a violation that resulted in a fine.
Boston Mayor Calls for Resignation
Following her arrest, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu issued a statement urging Fernandes Anderson to step down.
“While Councilor Fernandes Anderson is entitled to due process, the seriousness of these allegations undermines public trust and hampers her ability to effectively serve the city.
I call on her to resign,” said Wu.
Fernandes Anderson has not issued any public statements regarding the charges.
Federal authorities confirmed that she was represented by an attorney at the time of her arrest but declined to comment further.
A Trailblazer in Boston Politics
Born in Cape Verde, Fernandes Anderson emigrated to Roxbury, Boston, at the age of 10.
In 2021, she became the first African immigrant and Muslim-American elected to Boston’s City Council, making history as a trailblazer in local politics.
