Lawrence Mayor Brian DePena, 61, was charged with one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering, according to a statement by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Massachusetts.
DePena has been released from custody following his initial appearance in federal court in Boston on Aug. 14, subject to several conditions, including turning over his passport.
He allegedly applied for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) for Tenares Tire Services Inc., a tire sales and automotive services business he owned in Lawrence, between 2020 and 2021.
He received loans for $1.15 million.
The mayor had made 16 payments on the Tenares Tire EIDL as of Aug. 5, 2026, leaving an outstanding principal balance of about $1.6 million, according to prosecutors.
“This was emergency financial assistance meant to be a safety net for struggling businesses, not Mr. DePena’s own personal ATM,” Ted E. Docks, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Boston Division, said in the statement.
“When elected officials misuse federal funds for personal gain, they’re breaking the trust of their constituents—and breaking the law,” he said.
I wonder why is he the mayor when he can hardly speak English? He might also be a swindler.
English fluency should be a basic prerequisite for holding public office. https://t.co/KOWakYzOo8
— Miranda Devine (@mirandadevine) August 15, 2026
