State government official charged with pandemic benefit fraud, money laundering
Federal prosecutors have alleged that Massachusetts State House Rep. Francisco E. Paulino, a Democrat in the 16th Essex district, fraudulently obtained more than $700,000 in COVID-19 unemployment insurance benefits and small-business loans. (Photo from the General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts)
A member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives appeared in federal court in Boston on Wednesday after a grand jury indictment was unsealed charging him with COVID-19 pandemic benefit fraud and money laundering.
Federal prosecutors have alleged that Massachusetts State House Rep. Francisco E. Paulino, a Democrat in the 16th Essex district, fraudulently obtained more than $700,000 in COVID-19 unemployment insurance benefits and small-business loans. Paulino is accused of then buying property and loaning money to clients of his tax preparation and mortgage businesses.
Paulino, a tax attorney, was elected to the Massachusetts State House in 2023.
He’s the second Massachusetts government official the U.S. attorney’s office for the District of Massachusetts has accused this month of misappropriating pandemic loans.
Lawrence, Massachusetts, Mayor Brian Depena was arrested earlier in August on allegations that he obtained more than $1.5 million in COVID-19 small-business loans to fund his mayoral campaign and help pay his personal taxes and mortgages, according to a story by Law.com.
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