Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson resigned Tuesday after signing a plea agreement on her fraud case from last December, her lawyer confirmed.
Fernandes Anderson initially pleaded not guilty after she was arrested and charged with defrauding the city of Boston out of federal grant money. Prosecutors alleged she hired a relative, paid that relative a bonus, then had that relative give her $7,000 back from that bonus. Fernandes Anderson was indicted on five counts of wire fraud and one count of theft in December.
She is pleading guilty to two charges — one count of wire fraud and another of theft concerning a program receiving federal funds, according to court documents filed Tuesday. According to a press release from United States Attorney Leah B. Foley, the government is recommending a sentence of one year and one day in prison, followed by three years of supervised release and restitution in the amount of $13,000.
In a written statement on Tuesday provided by her attorney Scott Lauer, Fernandes Anderson apologized to her constituents and asked for forgiveness.
“I will be resigning. It is the right thing to do. In coming days, I will evaluate transition plans and timeline with the District 7 Advisory Council. I will do everything possible to make an orderly exit to ensure my constituents’ needs are met,” she said in the written statement.
She represents District 7, which consists of Roxbury, Dorchester, Fenway and part of the South End.
Mayor Michelle Wu will present the city’s proposed budget on Wednesday and she said measures will be taken to ensure that District 7 is represented throughout the entire process.
A statement from Boston City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune agreed with Fernandes Anderson’s decision to resign. “Our residents look to elected officials to lead with integrity, and the Boston City Council must continue to do just that,” Louijeune said in a written statement.
“I am coordinating with counsel and staff to ensure that the rule of law and the rules of the body are executed effectively as we continue to receive information,” she added.
Louijeune said that her office remains available to help the constituents of District 7.
In November 2022, Fernandes Anderson emailed a city employee about the hiring of the relative but did not disclose that they were related. In May 2023, that employee received a deposit of just over $13,000. A few weeks later, that staff member made two separate cash withdrawals of $3,000 and $4,000 four days apart.
The day of the second cash withdrawal — June 9, 2023 — Fernandes Anderson and the employee, which is unnamed, exchanged the $7,000 in a Boston City Hall bathroom.
Fernandes Anderson declined to speak with GBH News.
Saraya Wintersmith contributed reporting.
