Corruption is alive and well in Massachusetts Democratic politics.
For the second time in the last few months, the feds have nabbed an elected Democrat and charged them with stealing to fund their personal and political coffers.
It’s refreshing to see the newly appointed U.S. Attorney Leah Foley making public corruption a priority again.
What is it about the Massachusetts political culture that people feel they can brazenly break the law and get away with it?
But now they aren’t getting away with it.
Democratic state Rep. Chris Flanagan of Dennis is the latest target of the feds, and he’s quite the prize.
The 37-year-old, two-term lawmaker was charged with stealing over $36,000 from his trade association, funneling some of that into his campaign account and some to pay for menswear, an air conditioner and “personal psychic services,” according to the federal indictment.
Flanagan actually went so far as to create an alias named “Jeanne Louise” who he claimed made a mailer for a group called “Conservatives for Flanagan,” state campaign finance officials said.
There was no such group.
What a tool. Flanagan somehow got reelected by the fine voters of Cape Cod last year with 56% of the vote, showing how ineffectual the state Republican Party is. And his district usually votes Republican.
The indictment is just another reason people don’t trust the government.
It comes on the heels of a plea deal reached by the feds and City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson, accused of stealing $7,000 from taxpayers in a scheme that took place in a City Hall bathroom. Anderson will get at least a year in prison and has to resign, but she is still clinging to her $120,000-a-year job.
Gov. Maura Healey and Republicans called on Flanagan to resign too, but don’t hold your breath. He’s not going to give up his $100,000 salary that easily. Notably, House Speaker Ron Mariano did not demand Flanagan resign. Lawmakers stick together.
Mariano said the House would “take the appropriate steps if necessary to ensure accountability.”
If necessary? What else do you need to know before you decide to kick Flanagan out of office, Mr. Speaker?
The Flanagan arrest begs the question: Is Massachusetts politics attracting the wrong type of people? Or is the system corrupt?
Stealing and corruption and fraud now seem like part of the political culture here.
Fernandes Anderson does not even appear embarrassed by the kickback scheme the feds uncovered, smiling and waving for cameras in City Hall on Wednesday and picking which Democrat-friendly media outlet she gives interviews to.
Flanagan left court on Friday in a striped button shirt as he strolled by the cameras and refused to talk.
But get this. His lawyer, already trying to generate sympathy for Flanagan, said he was recovering from heart surgery.
“He’s just looking forward to getting home and getting some rest,” attorney Greg Henning said.
Don’t worry. Somehow Flanagan is going to be getting a lot of rest in the near future.