劳伦斯市长布赖恩·德佩纳周五因欺诈获得联邦疫情贷款被逮捕并起诉[1]。检方指控，德佩纳获得的150万美元COVID-19小企业贷款本应用于其轮胎销售业务，却被他挪作他用[1]。其中超过88万美元用于偿还高利息抵押贷款，另有9万美元被投入2021年市长选举活动和缴纳个人税款[1]。
德佩纳面临电信欺诈和洗钱两项罪名[1]。其中电信欺诈罪最高可处以20年监禁、三年监管释放和最高25万美元罚款，洗钱罪最高可处以10年监禁、三年监管释放和25万美元罚款[1]。FBI波士顿分部特别探员泰德·多克斯表示："当民选官员滥用联邦资金谋取私利时，他们背弃了选民的信任——也违反了法律"[1]。
Brian DePeña, mayor of Lawrence, Massachusetts, was arrested and charged Friday with fraud related to a COVID-19 small business loan, according to federal authorities [1]. DePeña obtained $1.5 million in pandemic relief funds that he claimed would support his tire sales business, but instead diverted more than $880,000 to pay down a high-interest mortgage and directed approximately $90,000 toward his 2021 mayoral reelection campaign and personal tax obligations [1].
The mayor faces charges of wire fraud and money laundering [1]. If convicted of wire fraud, he could face up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000 [1]. The money laundering conviction carries a potential sentence of 10 years imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine [1]. FBI Boston Special Agent in Charge Ted Docks stated: "When elected officials misappropriate federal funds for personal gain, they betray the trust of their constituents—and violate the law" [1].