Awaiting sentencing in corruption case, Fernandes Anderson says goodbye at final Boston City Council meeting

Embattled Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson attended her last City Council meeting Wednesday, a week before she resigns and a month before she's sentenced in a federal corruption case that has derailed a once-bright political career.

The District 7 councilor joked with colleagues, posed for photos, introduced a bevy of resolutions and delivered a goodbye speech during the session, saying afterward it was important to celebrate the work of her team and constituents, and address them directly.

Fernandes Anderson, who took office in 2022 representing the Roxbury-based district, pleaded guilty in May to federal corruption charges for orchestrating a kickback scheme.

She didn’t speak about her conviction, but said “the climate got tough” toward the end of her tenure on the council. She ended the meeting on a sober note, delivering a wide-ranging speech that included thanks to her supporters and criticisms of the political system.

“I leave this chamber the way I entered: with a big smile; grounded; god-willing, humble; faithful, not in the system but in the people,” she said. “I will still be fighting, not from this chamber but from the community — with you, with God. Thank you.”

Once a fast-rising political star in Boston, Fernandes Anderson's appearance Wednesday was the latest stop on her startling fall from power.

According to the federal indictment, she hired a family member to her staff and gave that relative a "supersize bonus" on the condition that the staffer kick back thousands of dollars to the councilor. Fernandes Anderson accepted $7,000 cash in a city hall bathroom in the summer of 2023, prosecutors said.

For months after her arrest, fellow city councilors and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu pressed Fernandes Anderson to quit her post, but she didn’t submit her letter of resignation until June 12. Her last official day of work will be July 4.

A judge is scheduled to sentence Fernandes Anderson on July 29. The government recommended one year and a day in prison, and $13,000 in restitution.

Earlier in the week, the District7Boston Instagram account team struck an upbeat tone in an Instagram post.

“Let’s celebrate all we’ve built together, and look ahead to the bright paths still to come,” one post read.

That message didn’t sit well with one of her leading critics, Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn, who told reporters Wednesday her tone was “inappropriate.”

“I don’t think residents want us to be celebrating today,” he said. “Residents want us to provide positive and ethical leadership.”

Other councilors sent Fernandes Anderson off with words of praise after her speech on the floor.

“I just want to acknowledge the contribution and example in many ways that Tania Fernandes Anderson has made to us,” Councilor Liz Breadon said.

Saying she found the moment “emotional,” Councilor Julia Mejia applauded Fernandes Anderson’s “courage” and community engagement.

“I think that people neglect to see your heart,” she said.

Mejia did appear to indirectly reference Fernandes Anderson’s legal troubles, saying that her story felt like a warning.

“I feel like I’m the last one standing here,” she said, “because I’ve been very vocal and very disruptive and they have demonstrated what happens to people like me and you and others.”

Councilor Brian Worell said Fernandes Anderson, “showed strength, innovation, and also centered the community in all the work that you have done.”

Councilor Sharon Durkan said she wanted to acknowledge that “this time has not been easy.”

“I’m praying for you,” she said.

Fernandes Anderson spoke several times during the five-hour meeting, at one point honoring some district and Boston City Hall staffers in attendance.

“You hung in there,” she said. “Everyone knows the climate got tough. You were professional. You were kind. You did the work for District 7.”

She also introduced 11 resolutions for the council’s consideration.

“Notice that everything I’m filing today is about my constituents,” Fernandes Anderson said.

Her last council meeting may have ended, but Fernandes Anderson said she’ll keep working until she resigns her position. She’s hosting a virtual town hall Saturday for District 7 residents “one last time,” she wrote in an Instagram post, “before this chapter closes.”

With additional reporting from WBUR's Walter Wuthmann.

Correction: A previous version of this story misquoted a word in a quote from City Councilor Julia Mejia. She said she has been "very vocal and very disruptive."