Tania Fernandes: Boston City Councilor arrested on public corruption charges, FBI confirms

Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson has been arrested on public corruption charges, the FBI confirmed on Friday morning. The arrest took place in Dorchester, though the FBI did not immediately disclose her name in its statement. Local media later identified the councilor as Fernandes Anderson, who represents District 7, which includes the Boston neighborhoods of Roxbury, Dorchester, Fenway, and parts of the South End.

FBI agents were observed outside Fernandes Anderson’s home in Dorchester as she was taken into custody. According to local station WCVB, the councilor is facing federal charges of wire fraud and theft in connection with programs that receive federal funding.

Court documents obtained by WCVB reveal that in 2023, a Massachusetts ethics commission found that Fernandes Anderson had violated conflict-of-interest laws. The investigation uncovered that, after her election to the City Council in 2021, she hired her sister and son to work at City Hall and subsequently raised their salaries to $70,000 each. Fernandes Anderson ended their employment in 2022 and was fined $5,000 for the violation.

In addition, Fernandes Anderson’s campaign has faced scrutiny from the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance for exceeding the legal limits on campaign contributions and failing to file deposit information in a timely manner.

Fernandes Anderson, who was elected to the Boston City Council on November 2, 2021, made history as the first African immigrant and Muslim-American to hold the position. Her biography on the City of Boston’s website outlines her background, including previous work as the Executive Director of Bowdoin Geneva Main Streets, as well as roles in social work, business ownership, and advocacy for Boston Public Schools. She is also recognised for fostering 17 children while raising two biological children.