FBI Arrests Massachusetts Lawmaker Over Alleged $700,000 COVID Relief Fraud
FBI Arrests Massachusetts Lawmaker Over Alleged $700,000 COVID Relief Fraud
The arrest was announced by FBI Director Kash Patel in a statement posted on Wednesday, in which he said Paulino was charged in an alleged scheme involving COVID-19 relief fraud and money laundering.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Wednesday arrested Massachusetts State Representative Francisco Paulino over allegations that he fraudulently obtained and misused approximately $700,000 in taxpayer-funded COVID-19 relief.
The arrest was announced by FBI Director Kash Patel in a statement posted on Wednesday, in which he said Paulino was charged in an alleged scheme involving COVID-19 relief fraud and money laundering.
According to the FBI, Paulino allegedly stole approximately $700,000 in pandemic relief funds and used the money for personal expenses, including real estate transactions, loan payments and transfers to his campaign account.
🚨This morning, the FBI arrested Massachusetts State Rep. Francisco Paulino – charged in an alleged scheme involving COVID-19 relief fraud and money laundering.
Paulino allegedly stole approximately $700,000 in pandemic relief funded by taxpayers, using it for personal expenses… pic.twitter.com/QFbclT0IZO
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) August 26, 2026
The FBI also alleged that Paulino loaned out taxpayer funds at a significantly higher interest rate than the rate he was paying, further linking him to the alleged misuse of pandemic relief money.
Paulino has been charged with eight counts of wire fraud and three counts of unlawful monetary transactions/money laundering.
The allegations against the Massachusetts lawmaker form part of an ongoing investigation into the alleged misuse of funds provided as part of government efforts to support individuals and businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Announcing the arrest, Patel said the case demonstrated the FBI’s continued efforts to investigate alleged financial crimes involving public funds.
The FBI Director also linked the development to the arrest earlier in August of Lawrence, Massachusetts Mayor Brian DePena, who was arrested by the FBI and its partners over similar fraud allegations.
“This morning, the FBI arrested Massachusetts State Rep. Francisco Paulino – charged in an alleged scheme involving COVID-19 relief fraud and money laundering,” Patel said.
He added that Paulino “allegedly stole approximately $700,000 in pandemic relief funded by taxpayers, using it for personal expenses like real estate, loan payments, and transfers to his campaign account.”
According to Patel, “Paulino also allegedly loaned taxpayer funds out at a significantly higher interest rate than he was paying.”
The FBI Director said the lawmaker was charged with “eight counts of wire fraud and three counts of unlawful monetary transactions/money laundering.”
The announcement comes amid continued investigations into alleged fraud involving COVID-19 relief programmes, which provided billions of dollars in government assistance during the pandemic.
Patel said the investigation into Paulino remains ongoing and stressed the FBI’s position that public office does not shield individuals from prosecution when they are suspected of violating federal law.
“This is an ongoing investigation. No one is above the law,” he said.
