Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson broke her silence a day after news broke that she was the subject of a federal investigation, vowing to stay in office and “show up and fight” for her constituents.
Fernandes Anderson said Wednesday that while she couldn’t comment on the federal probe, the nature and circumstances of which have not been revealed, she was grateful for the “faith and trust” that she said her constituents have continued to place in her, and would not be departing her role as District 7 councilor.
“To my people, District 7 constituents: You know that I am always transparent with you and always available,” Fernandes Anderson said in a statement. “My job is to show up and fight for you, and I will continue to do just that — the people’s work.
“Unfortunately, I am not able to comment on this matter at this time. As soon as I can, I will be sure to share more with you.”
Fernandes Anderson’s office said the second-term councilor, whose district includes Roxbury, Dorchester, the South End, and Fenway, has “received an outpouring of prayers, support and well-wishes from the community” since the federal investigation became public on Tuesday morning.
“I am extremely grateful for your continued faith and trust in me,” Fernandes Anderson said. “Thank you. I love you and I will continue to work hard for you.”
Fernandes Anderson, the first African immigrant Muslim-American to be elected to the Boston City Council, “closed her statement with a message of peace and love, reiterating her commitment to serving the community and ensuring the ongoing fight for the residents of District 7,” her office said.
The city acknowledged the existence of a federal subpoena or subpoenas that have been “issued to the Boston City Council or specific city councilors” in a Friday response to a Herald public records request that sought “information and/or documents relating to federal subpoenas that have been issued to Boston City Hall, the Boston City Council, Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson and any of the 13 city councilors from Jan. 1, 2024 to Nov. 14, 2024.
The city declined to provide the subpoena or subpoenas, which the Herald has learned pertained to a probe involving Fernandes Anderson, saying that it reached out to the Massachusetts U.S. Attorney’s office to confirm that the “investigatory exemption” of the public records law applied in this instance.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s office, release of such information could impair the “integrity of a grand jury investigation,” per the city’s records response.
Several city councilors weighed in Tuesday on the existence of a federal investigation into one of their colleagues, but largely held back from commenting much due to not having as to what the probe was about.
City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune said in a statement that “it is important to respect the legal process.”
“Drawing any conclusions right now would be premature,” Louijeune said. “As the president of the Boston City Council and as a lawyer, I want to emphasize that any actions that are found to undermine the law must be taken very seriously.
“The work of the Council will proceed without disruption and we will remain focused on the issues most important to residents, including acting with integrity as a body,” Louijeune added. “At this time, I will refrain from any further comments, while urging everyone to avoid speculation and to respect due process.”
Fernandes Anderson has had her fair share of controversy since joining the City Council roughly three years ago. She was hit with state campaign finance violations last month, a state ethics violation last year for hiring two family members to paid positions on her Council staff, and violating the city charter by being caught on video that she wasn’t saying the oath of office at the city inauguration in January.
The last city councilor to be subject to a federal probe while in office was the late Chuck Turner who was sentenced to three years in jail in 2018 for pocketing a $1,000 bribe from an informant who claimed to be seeking a liquor license.
Turner sued the city for $350,000 after being booted off the City Council in 2010 following the conviction, and settled for $106,000 eight years later, after the courts ruled that the Council violated its own rules because under state law, elected officials can only be removed from the body after sentencing, not conviction.