# Lawrence mayor accused of misusing $1.5m Covid loan

2026-08-15T02:13:23+00:00 | World & Diplomacy | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 1 independent outlet

Times Now reports that Lawrence Mayor Brian DePena was arrested on Friday and charged with wire fraud and money laundering. Prosecutors say he fraudulently obtained a $1.5 million pandemic-era small business loan for his tire business but instead used $880,000 to pay off mortgages on his properties and diverted $90,000 into his 2021 mayoral campaign. He appeared in Boston federal court and was released after surrendering his passport. DePena, who holds US and Dominican Republic citizenship, declined to comment.

## Coverage

- timesnownews.com <https://www.timesnownews.com/world/us/us-news/mayor-brian-depena-of-massachusetts-accused-of-misusing-1-5-million-covid-pandemic-loan-article-155639787>

Tags: Brian DePena, FBI, Lawrence, Massachusetts
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