Boston City Councilor Fernandes Anderson under federal investigation, few details offered
A Boston city councilor is under investigation by federal authorities and has declined to comment on the specifics.
"Something like this is tough, right?" was the only comment Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson had when she was asked about the federal investigation.
Fernandes Anderson represents District 7 in Boston, which includes Roxbury, Dorchester, Fenway and part of the South End. She said she wanted to be transparent with her constituents, but declined to comment with specifics.
"I do not have any comment. You guys know exactly why I cannot comment," Fernandes Anderson told reporters at City Hall.
The circumstances surrounding the reported investigation remain murky.
In response to a public records request about Fernandes Anderson, a City Hall official sent a letter that quotes the U.S. Attorney's Office, saying, "the integrity of a grand jury investigation would be impaired by disclosure of the information sought," adding that the investigation is at a "very critical juncture."
Mayor Michelle Wu declined to say whether the city has received any federal subpoenas in connection to the case.
"I think we have to let the fact unfold," she said.
During a City Council meeting, Fernandes Anderson, a former undocumented immigrant, expressed her support for Boston's policy of not cooperating with federal immigration officials and received hugs from several other councilors.
In 2023, the state ethics commission found Fernandes Anderson violated the conflict of interest law by hiring her sister and son at City Hall and raising their salaries to $70,000 a year. Fernandes Anderson agreed to pay a fine of $5,000.
Then just last month, the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance sent her campaign a letter which said it had not timely filed deposit information and had taken contributions over the legal limit.
"I'm not thinking about quitting. I'm not thinking about stepping down. I'm not thinking about any of that. I'm thinking about the work and continuing," she said.
The U.S. Attorney's Office has declined to comment on or confirm the investigation is ongoing.