Lawrence Mayor Arrested Over $1.65 Million COVID Loan Fraud Allegations
Lawrence Mayor Brian DePeña was arrested on wire fraud and money laundering charges for allegedly diverting more than $1.65 million in COVID-19 EIDL funds through his tire business to personal debts, campaign finance and mortgage payments. Prosecutors say SBA increases were approved and funds moved to personal accounts with some checks labeled as campaign loans. He faces up to 20 years for wire fraud and 10 years for money laundering and is due in federal court in Boston.