Sep 1, 2026 · 5 min · 5 segments
Federal fraud indictments for a sitting state representative, Beacon Hill accountability, and EBT card skimming safeguards shape the week ahead in Mass. politics.
Ella AdamsGuest
Carrie HealyHost
U.S. Attorney Leah Foley declared her office laser-focused on rooting out fraud, warning no public official gets a pass for stealing from federal relief programs.
This follows federal indictments of two sitting Democratic state representatives.
Ella, does this high-profile fraud end up hurting people who need benefits by making it harder for them to get?
Yeah, I mean, so you're referring to the situation with Rep. Chris Flanagan of Dennis back in 2025, and then just this week, Rep. Francisco Paulino was indicted.
I think that you could say that every time there's a public benefits fraud case, it shows that there are more actors who have allegedly chosen to take advantage of those programs, not...
There was a press conference last week about Rep Paulino and the indictment against him, and officials were making a point to talk about how difficult it was for Americans during the pandemic, how difficult it was for businesses, and how the money that was allegedly scammed was meant for those struggling.
Staying on last week's indictment of Methuen representative Francisco Polino, what's been the reaction on Beacon Hill, particularly from Speaker Ron Mariano and House leadership?
Yeah, House Speaker Ron Mariano is really the only person who has, you know, sent any kind of statement, had any kind of reaction to that.
His statement on Wednesday essentially just said the House is aware of the situation.
He said the House will closely monitor the legal proceedings and take appropriate action if necessary.
U.S. Attorney Leah Foley declared her office laser-focused on rooting out fraud, warning no public official gets a pass for stealing from federal relief programs.
This follows federal indictments of two sitting Democratic state representatives.
Ella, does this high-profile fraud end up hurting people who need benefits by making it harder for them to get?
Yeah, I mean, so you're referring to the situation with Rep. Chris Flanagan of Dennis back in 2025, and then just this week, Rep. Francisco Paulino was indicted.
I think that you could say that every time there's a public benefits fraud case, it shows that there are more actors who have allegedly chosen to take advantage of those programs, not...
There was a press conference last week about Rep Paulino and the indictment against him, and officials were making a point to talk about how difficult it was for Americans during the pandemic, how difficult it was for businesses, and how the money that was allegedly scammed was meant for those struggling.
Staying on last week's indictment of Methuen representative Francisco Polino, what's been the reaction on Beacon Hill, particularly from Speaker Ron Mariano and House leadership?
Yeah, House Speaker Ron Mariano is really the only person who has, you know, sent any kind of statement, had any kind of reaction to that.
His statement on Wednesday essentially just said the House is aware of the situation.
He said the House will closely monitor the legal proceedings and take appropriate action if necessary.
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