Overview

• Christopher Flanagan, a state representative for the First Barnstable District, was arrested and indicted on five counts of wire fraud and one count of falsification of records.
• Federal prosecutors allege Flanagan stole $36,000 from the Home Builders Association of Cape Cod between November 2021 and January 2023 to fund personal expenses and his political campaign.
• The scheme reportedly involved wire transfers, official checks, and direct debit transactions, with funds used for mortgage payments, credit card debt, and campaign-related expenses.
• Flanagan is accused of concealing the theft through fraudulent bookkeeping practices, including backdated transactions and falsified expense reports.
• The multi-agency investigation, led by the Department of Justice, IRS, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service, underscores ongoing efforts to combat public corruption in Massachusetts.