Feds launch investigation of Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson

Federal authorities are reportedly investigating Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson.

City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune in a statement Tuesday afternoon said it was important to respect the legal process and that "drawing any conclusions right now would be premature."

Fernandes Anderson did not appear at a City Council hearing Tuesday, held by a committee on which she serves. The councilor, who was elected in 2022, did not respond to requests for an interview by phone or text.

In a statement Wednesday, Fernandes Anderson said she "unfortunately" is unable to comment on the investigation at this time. She promised to share details "as soon as I can" and continue her work as a councilor.

The Boston Globe and Boston Herald reported Tuesday that federal investigators are scrutinizing the second-term Boston city councilor and have sent subpoenas to City Hall. Both outlets cited unnamed sources familiar with the probe, as well as an acknowledgement by Boston public records officials that they could not hand over relevant records because of an investigatory exemption.

Rumors about an investigation had been widespread in Boston political circles. But the exact focus of the probe is not publicly known, and no criminal charges have been filed.

After the city council hearing Tuesday, Councilor Erin Murphy told reporters she had not spoken to Fernandes Anderson, whose office is next to hers. She also said she had not witnessed any federal agents visiting the offices.

"I do believe that as elected officials we are expected to be held to a higher standard," Murphy said. "So I think it's important that we get the information, because we are getting a lot of questions."

Fernandes Anderson's ascension to the council was historic, as she became the first African immigrant and Muslim-American elected to the body. She represents District 7, which includes Roxbury, Dorchester, Fenway and the South End.

But her tenure on the council has been marred by multiple scandals.

She was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine last year after she admitted to violating the state conflict of interest law. The state Ethics Commission said Fernandes Anderson broke the law by hiring her sister and son to paid positions on her city council staff.

Fernandes Anderson ended her family members' employment in August of 2022. But she appeared to apologize to her sister in a subsequent post on Twitter, now known as X, writing "if it wasn’t unethical I would do it again."

In November, state campaign finance authorities found that the councilor's re-election campaign failed to report deposits on time and received several contributions over the legal limit.

The campaign committee had to purge $1,750 in excess contributions to the state. Fernandes Anderson also agreed to appoint a new treasurer to her campaign committee, according to the state campaign finance office.

"The work of the Council will proceed without disruption and we will remain focused on the issues most important to residents," Louijeune, the council president, said.

WBUR's Sydney Ko and Walter Wuthmann contributed reporting.