Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson pleads guilty to federal corruption charges

Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson pleaded guilty to federal corruption charges on Monday.

She appeared in Boston federal court in a white blazer, with a group of friends and community members sitting behind her in support. She spoke softly while addressing Judge Indira Talwani, often through tears.

Fernandes Anderson pleaded guilty to two of the six charges leveled against her: one count of wire fraud and one count of theft involving federal funds for her role in orchestrating a kickback scheme. She reached a plea agreement with the U.S. attorney's office last month.

U.S. Attorney Leah Foley said in a statement after Monday's hearing that the councilor "abused her position of trust for personal gain and turned a public checkbook into her own private slush fund."

According to the federal indictment, Fernandes Anderson hired a relative to her staff, and then paid her a "supersize bonus" on the condition she later give thousands of dollars back to the councilor. Fernandes Anderson accepted $7,000 cash in a city hall bathroom in the summer of 2023, prosecutors said.

Speaking to reporters outside the courthouse after the hearing, Fernandes Anderson said: "To my constituents, I love you, I love you dearly. I'll do my best to remain focused."

The councilor said she will likely resign in June, after the city council's budget process. The City Council voted last month for a home rule petition that would have left the seat vacant until the November election when she stepped down.

"District 7 doesn't deserve not to have a vote [on] the budget," she said.

Prosecutors are seeking a sentence of one year in prison, with three years of supervised release and restitution of $13,000.

Judge Talwani set the sentencing hearing for July 29.