State Rep. Christopher Flanagan Charged with Federal Fraud; House Ethics Investigation Underway

In a remarkable turn of events, Massachusetts State Representative Christopher Flanagan (D-Barnstable) is now under House Ethics Committee inquiry following federal court wire fraud and identity theft charges.

Federal prosecutors claimed Flanagan, formerly executive director of the Massachusetts Broadband Institute, used his position to file false invoices and transfer payments exceeding $75,000 to his personal bank account.

Citing “serious breaches of public trust,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office last Friday unsealed a criminal complaint. Among the accusations:

Two wire fraud counts
Single count of aggravated identity theft
The complaint claims Flanagan fabricated false vend.