Brian DePeña #

Introduction #

Brian DePeña is the mayor of Lawrence, Massachusetts, a city just north of Boston. On August 14, 2026, he was arrested at his home by the FBI and charged in federal court with wire fraud and money laundering, after prosecutors alleged he spent federal pandemic relief money intended for his small business on his campaign, his personal taxes, and mortgages on his own properties.

DePeña pleaded not guilty the same day and rejected calls to resign, insisting the allegations are the work of enemies. He remains mayor, facing up to 30 years in prison if convicted.

Background Information #

DePeña is 61 years old and a citizen of both the United States and the Dominican Republic. Before entering politics, he was a small-business owner in Lawrence: according to the criminal complaint, he owns and operates Tenares Tire Service Inc., a tire sales and auto service business in the city.

His political career began on the Lawrence City Council, where he served from 2016 to 2021. In November 2021 he was elected mayor, and he won reelection in November 2025. His tenure had friction: he clashed with the state’s former top public safety official over the city’s acting police chief.

The Controversy or Incident That Led to Their Cancellation #

Allegations. The claims in this section are allegations from federal prosecutors in a criminal complaint. Brian DePeña has been charged but has not been tried: he pleaded not guilty and is presumed innocent, and nothing has been adjudicated in court.

Lawrence Mayor Brian DePeña, 61, was arrested Friday morning following an investigation into his alleged misuse of Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) — a program administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) under the CARES Act to assist struggling businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“A criminal complaint filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Boston charges DePeña with wire fraud and money laundering. Prosecutors say he fraudulently obtained over $1.5 million in COVID small-business loans and used the proceeds to fund his campaign account, pay personal taxes, and pay off over $880,000 in high-interest mortgages that encumbered various properties he owned in Lawrence.”

According to the complaint, DePeña caused an EIDL application for Tenares Tire to be submitted to the SBA around May 4, 2020. The SBA approved $150,000 that June, most of which prosecutors say legitimately went to the business. But by early 2021, prosecutors allege, he had a campaign short on cash, back taxes owed to the IRS, and nearly $900,000 owed to private hard-money lenders charging 8% to 12% interest on his Lawrence properties.

In April 2021 he applied for an increase; the SBA approved an additional $350,000 that July. After a delay in releasing the funds, DePeña allegedly grew frantic, texting his financial advisor in Spanish on July 22, 2021: “Brother, call me, I’m in trouble. I don’t want to pressure you, but I don’t have time to wait for this loan. I’m in your hands.”

When the money landed, prosecutors allege, it was quickly diverted: $85,000 went to settle his tax debts with the IRS, and checks totaling roughly $90,000 went to “The Committee to Elect Brian Depena,” characterized as loans to the campaign. A second modification approved in October 2021 brought the total loan to roughly $1.65 million, of which prosecutors say $42,112.96 went to his mayoral campaign and $883,293 paid off the high-interest mortgages. By August 5, 2026, he had made only 16 payments — all consumed by interest. The complaint states the SBA would not have approved the loans had it known how the money would be used.

U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley said DePeña “was looked up to and trusted by his constituents, but he betrayed that trust through his alleged corruption and lies.” FBI Boston Special Agent in Charge Ted Docks called the loans “emergency financial assistance meant to be a safety net for struggling businesses, not Mr. Depena’s own personal ATM.”

Public Reaction and Consequences #

Video obtained by NBC10 Boston showed FBI agents at DePeña’s home around 6 a.m., and three city councilors confirmed the arrest. He made an initial appearance in federal court in Boston that Friday afternoon and was released on conditions including surrendering his passport and not taking on any new loans without court approval. “Lawrence Mayor Brian Depena walked out of federal court Friday after pleading not guilty to charges of $1.5 million in pandemic loan fraud and money laundering in an ’easy-money’ case the feds say won’t be so easy anymore.”

Reaction in Lawrence was mixed. Neighbor Elvin Gomez called DePeña “a great neighbor” while acknowledging the “pretty strong accusations.” Resident Linda Raymond was blunter, saying he was “very crooked” and that the money “should be funding that to something that’s very important, not yourself.” City Councilor Marc Laplante called the allegations serious but urged people not to rush to judgment.

Asked if he would resign, DePeña answered “God bless.” Asked by Telemundo Nueva Inglaterra what message he had for the people of Lawrence, he said in Spanish, “I love them, and they know I am an honest and decent man.” On serving while facing the charges: “Of course. Anyone can be accused. People get accused of anything. My enemies have accused me. What haven’t they made up about me?” His lawyer, Carlos Apostle, said his client is not stepping down: “No, he’s not. He’s done a great job.”

Current Status #

DePeña remains mayor of Lawrence and says he has no plans to step down. He has pleaded not guilty and was released on conditions — his passport surrendered, no new loans without court approval. He faces up to 30 years in prison and $500,000 in fines if convicted. Nothing has been adjudicated: the charges are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Impact on Their Career/Life #

The arrest transformed DePeña’s standing overnight, from a reelected incumbent mayor into a federal defendant. Prosecutors signaled that public officials would receive no leniency, with Foley saying her office is determined “to root out fraud by anyone, even public officials,” and the case drew national coverage across outlets from Fox News to the Boston Herald.

DePeña has so far refused to let the charges define his mayoralty, framing the case as the work of enemies. Whether he can serve out his term — or survive a criminal trial carrying up to 30 years in prison — remains unresolved. For now, he continues to lead the city while the allegations hang over his administration, his business, and his political future.