The Massachusetts House Committee on Ethics plans to investigate state Representative Christopher Flanagan (D-Dennis), who was indicted last week on federal fraud charges, once his legal proceedings are concluded, according to the committee's chairman. Flanagan, 37, represents the First Barnstable District.
Could two more Massachusetts politicians go to prison?
Last week, Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson (D-Roxbury) agreed to plead guilty to a kickback scheme involving a taxpayer-funded staff bonus. Prosecutors say she pocketed thousands of dollars from one of her aides. The plea deal recommends a sentence of just over a year in prison — and the Democrat has said she is stepping down from the council.
Additionally, state Representative Christopher Flanagan (D-Dennis) was arrested and indicted last week on charges of embezzling $36,000 from a Cape Cod nonprofit organization to fund his political campaign and buy personal items like Macy’s clothes, an air conditioner, and psychic services.
Another week, another Bay State politician facing federal charges.
While both cases are still working their way through the legal system, they’re part of a rich tradition of Massachusetts politicians who’ve found themselves in handcuffs.
Most famously, voters in Boston once elected James Michael Curley to its now-defunct Board of Alderman while he was serving prison time on a fraud conviction in 1904.
Here's a look at five Massachusetts politicians who have served prison time in the past 15 years:
