FBI Arrests Non-English-Speaking Mass. Mayor On Wire Fraud Charges
A bizarre story out of Massachusetts dominated the newswires overnight for its various twists, turns, and details that would defy even the most creative fiction author.
Lawrence, Mass., Mayor Brian DePeña was arrested by the FBI Friday morning at his home and charged with allegedly misusing more than $1.5 million in COVID-era small-business loans, according to federal prosecutors.
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A criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Boston accuses DePeña of wire fraud and money laundering. Prosecutors allege he obtained federal pandemic relief funds intended for his tire business but diverted the money for personal and political expenses.
“Mayor DePeña was elected to be a leader for the City of Lawrence. He was looked up to and trusted by his constituents, but he betrayed that trust through his alleged corruption and lies,” U.S. Attorney Leah Foley said.
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“Today’s arrest is just another example of our determination to root out fraud by anyone, even public officials and holding elected officials accountable,” she added, per NBCBoston.
According to the complaint, DePeña allegedly used portions of the funds to support his mayoral campaign, pay personal tax obligations, and pay down more than $880,000 in high-interest mortgages tied to properties he owned in Lawrence.
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Federal prosecutors said the loans were obtained through the Small Business Administration’s pandemic relief programs, which were designed to help businesses affected by COVID-19-related economic losses. Authorities allege the funds were instead used for expenses unrelated to the stated purpose of the loans.
DePeña, 61, was elected mayor of Lawrence in 2021 and won reelection in 2025. Before becoming mayor, he served on the Lawrence City Council from 2016 to 2021.
Foley accused DePeña of betraying the trust of Lawrence residents while emphasizing that federal authorities would continue pursuing allegations of fraud involving public funds, regardless of the defendant’s position.
DePeña appeared in federal court Friday and was released under conditions, including surrendering his passport and restrictions on seeking new loans without court approval. He has not entered a plea.
If convicted, he faces up to 30 years in prison.
Video of his appearance has left more questions than answers, as a chaotic scene appeared to unfold outside the courtroom.
According to eyewitnesses and video, a vehicle carrying DePena appeared to run into the rear of another vehicle, before backing up and then eventually leaving the scene – which is a crime in most jurisdictions.
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Asked by Telemundo Nueva Inglaterra what message he had for the people of Lawrence, DePeña said in Spanish, “I love them, and they know I am an honest and decent man.”
Also, other reports claimed that the mayor, bizarrely, cannot speak any English.
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The mayor has denied wrongdoing and indicated he does not intend to step down while the case proceeds.
“Of course. Anyone can be accused. People get accused of anything,” DePena told Telemundo.
“My enemies have accused me. What haven’t they made up about me?”
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The charges come as federal investigators continue to pursue alleged misuse of pandemic relief programs, which distributed hundreds of billions of dollars nationwide and have resulted in numerous fraud prosecutions involving individuals, businesses, and public officials.
FBI Boston Special Agent in Charge Ted Docks wrote in a statement, “when elected officials misuse federal funds for personal gain, they’re breaking the trust of their constituents — and breaking the law.”
💥 PRESS DEBUT DISASTER!
Katie Zacharia’s Awkward First White House Press Briefing Draws National Attention
Katie Zacharia’s first appearance behind the White House podium quickly became a major talking point after several uncomfortable moments overshadowed her debut as President Donald Trump’s new press secretary.
The October 13 briefing lasted approximately 14 minutes, with Zacharia answering questions from only three news outlets before ending the session. Her short appearance immediately attracted widespread media attention.
Zacharia had recently been selected to replace former press secretary Karoline Leavitt, stepping into a highly visible role responsible for communicating the administration’s positions to journalists and the American public.
From the opening minutes, observers noticed her reliance on prepared notes. She delivered a lengthy account of Trump’s accomplishments, frequently looking down at the script instead of maintaining eye contact with reporters.
Her delivery also attracted criticism, with commentators describing her voice as hesitant and her presentation as unusually stiff. Others questioned whether the administration had given its newest spokesperson enough preparation time.
Much of the briefing focused on praising Trump’s economic agenda, energy policies, rally attendance, and political achievements. The extended list of talking points left relatively little time for substantive exchanges with journalists.
One particularly awkward moment occurred when Zacharia discussed the challenge of balancing her demanding position with family life. She explained that spending evenings away from her four children was unacceptable to her.
She then accidentally referred to her husband as “my president” before immediately correcting herself with “my husband.” Recognizing the slip, she added a brief joke, creating the briefing’s most widely discussed moment.
The verbal mix-up spread rapidly through news coverage and social media, becoming a defining image of her first appearance. Critics treated it as evidence of nervousness, while others viewed it as an ordinary human mistake.
Her response to a question about U.S. intelligence sharing with Ukraine also drew attention. When asked whether Washington had stopped sharing intelligence with Kyiv, Zacharia replied that she would have to get back to the reporter.
The exchange was brief, but it highlighted the difficulty of responding to sensitive foreign policy questions without immediately having the necessary information. Reporters continued seeking answers as the briefing moved forward.
Another significant announcement concerned Kimberly Guilfoyle, the U.S. ambassador to Greece. Zacharia told reporters that the administration had asked Guilfoyle to resign, unexpectedly introducing a personnel development into the short briefing.
The announcement generated additional headlines and demonstrated that, despite the awkward delivery, Zacharia’s first appearance included consequential political news. Her handling of the announcement, however, also attracted scrutiny from commentators.
Questions about her readiness soon emerged among political observers and some administration allies. The Wall Street Journal described the debut as rocky, reporting that her nervous presentation prompted questions about the decision to put her before cameras so quickly.
The brief question-and-answer session was another unusual feature. After taking questions from Breitbart News, Fox News, and the Daily Mail, Zacharia announced that reporters could ask Trump questions directly as he prepared to leave.
Her decision to end the briefing after such limited questioning became another focus of criticism. Regular White House briefings often involve extended exchanges, making the short session particularly noticeable to journalists and political commentators.
Despite the criticism, Trump publicly defended his new press secretary. Asked about her performance, the president said he thought she had done very well, offering a clear show of support following the difficult debut.
The White House also presented the briefing positively, describing Zacharia’s performance as commanding. That assessment contrasted with critical media coverage, illustrating how differently supporters and detractors interpreted the same appearance.
Zacharia’s debut has therefore become an early test of her ability to manage a demanding communications role. Future briefings will offer a clearer indication of whether she can develop greater confidence and handle sustained questioning.
For now, the accidental “my president” remark remains the most memorable moment from her first appearance. Whether the incident becomes a brief viral embarrassment or a lasting political talking point will depend on what follows.
