Massachusetts State Representative Christopher Flanagan, representing the First Barnstable District, was arrested Friday morning following an indictment by a federal grand jury in Boston. Flanagan, 37, of Dennis, Mass., faces five counts of wire fraud and one count of falsification of records, stemming from allegations he defrauded a local trade association of tens of thousands of dollars.
Prosecutors allege Flanagan orchestrated a multi-faceted scheme while serving as the Executive Officer of a Cape Cod Home Builders Association (HBA), a position he held from approximately early 2019 to mid-2024 alongside his legislative duties.
According to the indictment, Flanagan misappropriated HBA funds to cover personal expenses, pay down debt, purchase luxury items, and finance his political campaign. He is also accused of falsifying records and creating a fake persona to conceal his actions.
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“Today’s charges against Massachusetts State Representative Christopher Flanagan reveal an appalling breach of public trust,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “According to the indictment, Mr. Flanagan defrauded the very organization he was supposed to serve… He allegedly stole money and then went to extraordinary lengths to cover it up… No one is entitled to power by way of fraud, and the people of Massachusetts deserve better.”
The indictment details alleged financial struggles faced by Flanagan starting around October 2021, including significant credit card debt and missed mortgage payments. Between November 2021 and January 2023, prosecutors claim Flanagan illegally transferred or withdrew a total of $36,000 from HBA bank accounts.
These funds were allegedly used for mortgage payments, credit card bills, personal items including electronics and clothing, children’s toys, psychic services, and a $10,000 transfer to his own state representative campaign account in January 2023.
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To conceal the alleged theft, Flanagan is accused of logging into the HBA’s accounting software using another employee’s credentials in May 2024 to backdate transactions and falsely code withdrawals as legitimate business expenses like “office supplies” or “travel.” When questioned by the HBA Board, Flanagan allegedly submitted falsified expense reports, claiming reimbursements for items that were actually personal purchases or campaign materials, including a Bluetooth speaker, an electric dryer, an air conditioner, men’s clothing, and campaign t-shirts.
Furthermore, the indictment alleges Flanagan obstructed a separate investigation by the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance (OCPF) that began around December 2022 concerning a campaign mailer. He allegedly created a fake persona, “Jeanne Louise,” attributing the mailer to her and an independent group, even sending phony emails to OCPF. When OCPF later questioned the $10,000 deposit into his campaign fund, Flanagan allegedly provided the same falsified expense reports to falsely portray the money as legitimate reimbursements from HBA, rather than funds originating from the association.
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Flanagan, first elected to the Massachusetts House in 2022, represents Dennis, Yarmouth, and Brewster. He previously served on the Dennis Select Board.
Officials from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the IRS Criminal Investigation division echoed the U.S. Attorney’s sentiments regarding the betrayal of trust. “Flanagan not only stole from his employer to enrich himself, but also to fill the coffers of his campaign,” said Thomas Demeo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation, Boston Field Office.
Each count of wire fraud and the count of falsification of records carry potential sentences of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and fines up to $250,000.
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