Massachusetts State Rep. Francisco Paulino has been arrested and charged for alleged pandemic benefit fraud, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and FBI Boston announced Wednesday morning.
A criminal complaint filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Boston charges Paulino, who represents the 16th Essex District, which includes Methuen and Lawrence, with wire fraud and money laundering. It wasn’t immediately clear if Paulino had an attorney who could speak to the charges.
House Speaker Ron Mariano called the charges “extremely concerning” and said the House would “closely monitor the legal proceedings and, upon their conclusion, take appropriate action if necessary to ensure accountability.”
Prosecutors say Paulino owned and operated Madison Tax, LLC and Madison Mortgage Inc. in Lawrence. Beginning in or around April 2020 and continuing until at least December 2021, prosecutors allege…
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