Lawrence Mayor Hit with Federal Charges Over COVID Relief Funds
Lawrence Mayor Brian DePeña was arrested on federal charges—wire fraud and unlawful monetary transactions—allegedly diverting more than $1.5 million in COVID-19 relief loans from his tire business to fund his campaign and pay personal debts; the arrest, carried out by the FBI and tied to an ongoing inquiry into Lawrence City Hall, marks a significant turn in the investigation of the mayor and city operations.