“I CAN TAKE THIS COVID RELIEF MONEY FOR MY OWN USE”!!! BELIEVE IT OR NOT, PROSECUTORS SAY MASSACHUSETTS STATE REP. FRANCISCO PAULINO DEVISED A SCHEME TO OBTAIN OVER $700,000 IN FEDERAL PANDEMIC RELIEF FUNDS… AND POLICE ARRESTED HIM EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING ON AN 11-COUNT INDICTMENT.
Authorities arrested a Democratic Party official on Wednesday.
The arrest was for alleged COVID fraud.
It marked the second time this month that authorities arrested a Democratic official on such allegations.
US Attorney Leah Foley announced the action.
Foley says police arrested Massachusetts state Rep. Francisco Paulino early Wednesday morning.
Authorities charged Paulino with 11 counts.
Those charges relate to pandemic unemployment insurance fraud.
They also relate to pandemic loan fraud.
In addition, the indictment charges him with money laundering.
Foley detailed the scheme described in the indictment.
“According to the Paulino indictment, Mr. Paulino devised a scheme to obtain more than $700,000 in federal pandemic relief funds. It is alleged that Paulino used some of the money for his own personal use, including real estate expenses, loan payments and transfers to his campaign account,” Foley said.
And Foley said the alleged misuse did not end with personal spending.
“Other money he flipped around and lent to other individuals at higher interest rates than the pandemic loan rate,” she continued.
According to the indictment, Paulino’s alleged fraud began in 2020.
The indictment says he signed up for COVID relief funding that year.
He allegedly signed up on behalf of a relative.
The indictment describes that person as “an unwitting 77-year-old relative.”
Paulino’s arrest on Wednesday was not the first of its kind in recent days.
Ohio Teen Accused of Plotting Her Mother’s Execution Stays Behind Bars as Judge Upholds Massive $3 Million Bond
He Opened Fire on Linemen Restoring Power to His Own Neighborhood — Now He Is Heading to Prison
Fort Wayne Man Charged With Attempted Murder After Chilling Warning Of A Fight To The Death Turns Into Violent Home Ambush
It comes roughly a week after another high-profile arrest in Massachusetts.
The FBI arrested Lawrence Mayor Brian DePeña roughly a week earlier.
The FBI arrested DePeña on similar charges.
DePeña was arrested earlier this month.
A federal grand jury also handed down an 11-count indictment against DePeña.
DePeña’s indictment includes charges relating to pandemic loan fraud.
The indictment also includes charges relating to money laundering.
The FBI detailed when DePeña’s alleged actions began.
The FBI says DePeña first began “diverting public funds” in 2020.
DePeña was serving on the Lawrence city council at the time.
But federal prosecutors stressed the impact on the public.
“Everyone listening today knows how difficult it was for Americans during the pandemic,” Foley said.
“The money these two individuals allegedly scammed was meant for hardworking Americans and struggling business owners, not for two greedy individuals who lied and stole for their own personal benefit,” Foley said.
Foley added that law enforcement would continue pursuing public officials.
“It is never a proud moment when we arrest a public official, but we will continue to do it until the message is received: No one is above the law, and no one gets a pass,” she added.
Then the reality of the charges set in.
Two Democratic officials.
Two 11-count indictments.
The charges are allegations and have not been proven in court.
No Comments yet!