LAWRENCE, Massachusetts.- Mayor Brian DePeña, who is of Dominican origin, missed his second hearing Thursday in federal court in Boston after a judge authorized his absence while the criminal case against him continues.
Niel Felgan, Lawrence’s new mayoral attorney, explained that the absence was not related to any special circumstance and asked that DePeña be allowed to attend pending matters connected to the city.
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Carlos Apostle, who represented the official during his first appearance, stopped defending him after alleging that his client had failed to pay him.
DePeña was arrested August 14 after a federal grand jury brought an 11-count indictment against him: four counts of alleged wire fraud and seven related to money laundering.
Federal prosecutors allege that the mayor improperly obtained more than $1.5 million through emergency loans intended for small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the indictment, DePeña used his company to apply for the loans and later allegedly directed part of the money toward personal and political expenses. The transactions identified include $85,000 for overdue personal taxes and $90,000 for his political campaign.
Prosecutors also attribute more than $883,000 to payments on several high-interest mortgages. The indictment says that, as of August 5, 2026, DePeña had made only 16 payments on the loan granted to his company between 2020 and 2021.
The federal investigation was conducted by several agencies, including the FBI and the Internal Revenue Service. DePeña has maintained that the case is politically motivated persecution.
The Brian DePeña federal case comes as another elected official from the Merrimack Valley faces charges. Massachusetts state Representative Francisco Paulino, also of Dominican origin, was arrested August 26 and charged with 11 counts related to wire fraud and money laundering.
U.S. Attorney Leah Foley publicly linked the two cases, saying the defendants allegedly harmed taxpayers before seeking public office. The charges against both officials must be resolved through their respective judicial proceedings.
During Thursday’s hearing, DePeña’s defense also requested permission for the mayor to travel between Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The request was granted.
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