Embattled Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson pleaded guilty Monday, May 5, to wire fraud and theft of public funds—but despite her admission in federal court, she is refusing to give up her seat or her $120,000 taxpayer-funded salary.
Her continued stay in office is drawing mounting criticism from constituents, colleagues, and federal prosecutors.
Anderson, 46, admitted to a brazen scheme in which she funneled a $14,000 city-funded bonus to a staffer who is also her relative, then pocketed $7,000 of it in a City Hall bathroom, according to federal prosecutors.
The councilor’s conduct, prosecutors said, betrayed public trust and violated her oath of office.
“She broke the law, lied to the public, and used her office for her own personal gain,” said U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley. “Her guilty plea says what she refuses to admit in her media interviews. Her constituents deserve better than this.”
Still Drawing a Paycheck Despite Guilty Plea
Instead of stepping down immediately, Anderson has vowed to remain in office until late June, citing a need to see through the city’s budget process. That’s two more months of taxpayer-funded salary, even after pleading guilty in open court.
Critics argue her continued presence on the council taints the integrity of City Hall and undermines public faith in government.
“She should not be voting on anything—let alone an important city budget,” said one critic. “Every day she stays on the job is another day her seat is tainted.”
Background: Bathroom Kickback and a Promise to Resign
In April, Fernandes Anderson accepted a federal plea deal and publicly announced she would resign. But her words haven’t matched her actions.
“I will be resigning, it is the right thing to do,” she said at the time. “In the coming days, I will evaluate transition plans and timeline.”
Yet on Monday, after formally entering her guilty plea in court, Anderson refused to take full responsibility in media interviews and instead deflected to issues of race and political dynamics, saying her colleagues had been pressured to call for her resignation.
Sentencing and Public Reaction
Fernandes Anderson is scheduled to be sentenced in late July. Federal prosecutors are recommending 12 months and one day in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, along with $13,000 in restitution and a fine.
Despite the severity of the charges and her own admission of guilt, Anderson’s refusal to vacate her seat has sparked bipartisan outrage. Critics say her continued presence damages her constituents’ representation and tarnishes the office.
Mayor Michelle Wu and City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune are now under pressure to formally call for her immediate resignation.
Even in a city known for political drama, some say this case stands out for its audacity.
Public Trust at Stake
The scandal comes amid heightened scrutiny of Boston’s city council and its ethics practices. Anderson was the first Muslim elected to the council and a self-described progressive leader, but prosecutors say her legacy is now one of “fraud, greed, and deceit.”
While she continues to occupy her seat, she also retains her full council staff, prompting questions about whether the city is subsidizing a ghost office while the councilor awaits prison time.
