Lawrence, Massachusetts Mayor Brian DePeña arrested on wire fraud and money laundering charges

Lawrence Mayor Brian DePeña is facing federal wire fraud and money laundering charges after he allegedly improperly used $1.5 million in COVID relief money.

DePeña, 61, was elected in November 2021 and was re-elected in 2025. Before that, he was a member of the Lawrence City Council from 2016 until 2021. Additionally, DePeña owns and operates a tire sales and automobile business called Tenares Tire Services Inc. in Lawrence.

Alleged misuse of COVID relief funds

Federal prosecutors allege that DePeña's business was approved for $150,000 in COVID relief on May 4, 2020. Tenares Tire Services received the money on June 18, 2020, in the form of an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL).

According to a criminal complaint, by early 2021, DePeña needed cash after purchasing a commercial property at 342 Broadway in Lawrence for $700,000. He also allegedly owed $900,000 to two private money lenders. 

DePeña wrote his financial adviser, who was helping him with a loan modification request in order to increase the EIDL for the tire business. He was then granted another $350,000 from the EIDL for Tenares Tires, bringing the total to $500,000, but he was unable to access it for another month.

"Brother, call me, I'm in trouble. I don't want to pressure you, but I don't have time to wait for this loan. I'm in your hands," DePeña wrote in a text message, according to the complaint.

In another text, he said, "I know I'm bothering you a lot, but I have no other option. Only you can give me what I need."

Prosecutors say that on Aug. 16, 2021, the EIDL money was deposited into the Tenares Tires bank account. 

"In truth, DePeña did not intend to use the Tenares Tire EIDL funds solely as working capital to alleviate economic injury caused by the COVID-19 pandemic," federal prosecutors allege.

The criminal complaint alleges that in August 2021, DePeña used $85,000 from EIDL funds for his personal tax liabilities. Then in September 2021, he allegedly used $90,000 for his mayoral campaign.

He later allegedly made several deposits into his campaign account using the federal loan.

In October 2021, DePeña allegedly modified his business' EIDL again, receiving $1,154,188 into his company's account.

Prosecutors allege that DePeña then proceeded to continue making payments to his campaign and to pay off loans.

The complaint says that as of Aug. 5, 2026, DePeña had made only 16 payments totaling $130,160 toward the Tenares Tire EIDL, each being applied to interest accrued. The outstanding principal balance of the EIDL was over $1,600,000, prosecutors said.

DePeña appeared in a Boston Federal Courthouse Friday afternoon on charges of wire fraud and aiding and abetting. He was released and ordered to turn over his passport, stay away from any witnesses in the case and not apply for any loans without court approval.

He also told the court he is currently receiving treatment for prostate cancer.

DePeña, lawyer get into car crash leaving court

DePeña and his lawyer rushed out of the courthouse on Friday, attempting to avoid members of the media. When asked if he had plans to resign, DePeña's lawyer responded for him, saying "No comment."

WBZ-TV's Penny Kmitt asked DePeña if he had anything to say to the people of Lawrence. 

"Goodbye, my people, God bless you," DePeña said in Spanish as he got into the car. 

His lawyer then told reporters, "Listen, if it's going to be like this, you're not going to be happy with who the **** I bring."

DePeña's lawyer then attempted to drive away, striking the bumper of the car in front of him. He then got out of the car and explained that he plans to bring bodyguards next time.

"Look how outrageous this is. It's crazy. You would never do this to someone White," the lawyer said before driving away with DePeña.

Lawrence residents react

Some residents in Lawrence said they felt embarrassed to have voted for the mayor and let down that DePeña used money that could've helped people in need.

"It doesn't shock me. It doesn't really come as a surprise," resident Louis Ortiz said. "There was some speculation about his honesty."

"Through all these years you live here, you grow up here, you go to school here, and you put your trust in somebody, and with COVID, you know how bad it was. It's unbelievable," said Isabel Gonzalez.

"I wish things would go back to the way they were when everybody cared about everybody  else, but it doesn't seem to be happening. It's just too bad," said DePeña's neighbor Charlotte Blouin.