Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson arrested for fraud. Here's all FBI says in the indictment

Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson has been arrested on charges of fraud and theft. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI announced the arrest and plan to release more information at a press conference Friday morning.

Anderson faces five counts of wire fraud and one count of theft concerning a program receiving federal funds, according to court documents. The indictment alleges Anderson hired a relative in 2022 and promised a $13,000 bonus, expecting most of the money back.

“At defendant Fernandes Anderson's instructions, Fernandes Anderson and Staff Member A arranged to meet at a bathroom at City Hall where Staff Member A would hand approximately $7,000 in cash to Fernandes Anderson,” the court document stated. The document also notes text messages exchanged between Anderson and the staff member before the meeting.


Anderson earned an annual salary of about $103,500 as a councilor in 2022 and 2023. The indictment alleges she experienced financial difficulties, including missed rent and car payments, bank overdraft fees, and a pending ethics fine, leading up to the alleged scheme.

In 2022, Anderson hired her sister and son, later firing them after the arrangement became public. She admitted to an ethics violation and paid a $5,000 fine.

The indictment alleges Anderson hired a relative, “Staff Member A,” in 2022, falsely claiming to a city official that they were not related. All staff members were required to sign non-disclosure agreements, defined as barring release of any information concerning “any aspect of the Office, Staff, or its affairs,” without Anderson's permission.

In May 2023, Anderson proposed giving Staff Member A a bonus, with the understanding a portion would be returned to her. “Fernandes Anderson did not disclose the bonus kickback arrangement with Staff Member A” to other staff, the indictment states. Staff Member A received a $10,204.14 check, including the bonus and weekly salary, and made several cash withdrawals. The indictment states, “Shortly following these texts, Staff Member A handed Fernandes Anderson approximately $7,000 in cash at a bathroom in City Hall.” The texts referenced were "Bathroom" from Staff Member A and "Ready" from Anderson.

Fernandes Anderson made history in November 2021 as the first African immigrant and the first Muslim elected to the Boston City Council. She was reelected in 2023, according to her biography on the city’s website.