Cape Cod lawmaker pleads not guilty to federal fraud charges (2025)

Making his initial appearance in federal court after being indicted on fraud charges Friday, state Rep. Christopher Flanagan, D-1st Barnstable, issued not-guilty pleas to all six counts he is facing during a brief, largely procedural hearing.

Flanagan, 37, of Dennis, is charged with five counts of wire fraud and one count of falsification of records. He was led into the Boston courtroom Friday afternoon in handcuffs, wearing a white checkered shirt.

During the hearing, he nodded along as Magistrate Judge Donald L. Cabell explained his rights to him. He spoke only twice — to enter the not guilty pleas and to tell Cabell he did not have any questions.

Federal prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s office sought a $25,000 bond for Flanagan. Greg Henning, a lawyer for Flanagan, said there was no need to set a bond given Flanagan’s ties to the area — he has a wife and three children. Flanagan has no prior criminal record, he noted.

Cabell denied the request for bond, releasing Flanagan on several conditions, including that he report to probation regularly and not move without permission. He is also required to stay employed or find a job.

Following the hearing, Henning said Flanagan recently underwent heart surgery.

“He’s returning to go see his family, his wife and his three children. He’s been dealing with some significant health issues ... so he’s looking forward to getting back with his family and getting some rest and recuperation,” Henning told reporters.

Henning did not answer when asked if Flanagan would resign.

Gov. Maura Healey called on Flanagan to resign in a brief statement, saying the charges “threaten to undermine the important work of the legislature and cast doubt on his ability to faithfully serve his constituents.”

House Speaker Ronald Mariano, D-3rd Norfolk, said the House first learned of Flanagan’s arrest through media reports Friday morning. He did not ask for Flanagan’s resignation but said the charges “are extraordinarily concerning and undermine public trust in the legislature.”

Flanagan is accused of abusing his position as the executive officer of the Home Builders Association on Cape Cod, essentially using its bank accounts as his piggy bank. Flanagan secretly withdrew $36,000 from the association’s bank accounts, then attempted to cover his tracks by creating and falsifying expense reports, according to an indictment unsealed Friday morning.

Flanagan used those funds for, among other things, psychic services, menswear from Macy’s, an air conditoner and an electric dryer, according to the indictment.

Federal prosecutors say Flanagan used $10,000 he stole as a boon for his campaign for the not-guiltyegislature, sending out mailers and creating t-shirts.