Local News
Rep. Francisco Paulino fraudulently obtained more than $700,000 in federal pandemic relief funds, prosecutors alleged.
State Rep. Francisco Paulino, a Democrat from Methuen, was arrested Wednesday morning after a grand jury indicted him on charges of pandemic relief fraud, U.S. Attorney Leah Foley announced. Paulino allegedly schemed to fraudulently obtain more than $700,000 in federal pandemic-related relief funds.
He faces eight charges of aiding and abetting wire fraud and three charges of aiding and abetting money laundering.
Paulino allegedly used his tax-preparation company, the identities of others, and intermediaries to fraudulently obtain federal pandemic relief funds that were funneled into personal and business accounts, according to a 24-page indictment. Some of these…
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