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‘Extremely disappointed:’ Here’s why readers want Tania Fernandes Anderson to resign
Nearly 1,800 readers responded to our poll. Here's why they want the District 7 Boston City Councilor to resign.
Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson was arrested on federal public corruption charges on Friday, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced. In the wake of her arrest, Boston.com readers have overwhelmingly called for her resignation.
Fernandes Anderson allegedly embezzled a $7,000 kickback inside a City Hall bathroom from a relative who worked on her staff. She was indicted on five counts of aiding and abetting wire fraud and one count of aiding and abetting theft concerning programs receiving federal funds, according to the unsealed indictment.
Fernandes Anderson — who represents Roxbury, Dorchester, Fenway, and part of the South End — acknowledged reports about the federal investigation, but said she did not intend to resign, Boston.com previously reported. She pleaded “not guilty” in a brief appearance Friday afternoon in federal court.
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However, several city councilors and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu have called on the Councilor to resign amid the federal charges.
“Like any member of the community, Councilor Fernandes Anderson has the right to a fair legal process,” Wu said in a statement Friday morning. “But the serious nature of these charges undermine the public trust and will prevent her from effectively serving the city.”
Boston.com readers, too, called on Fernandes Anderson to resign. When we asked readers to weigh in, nearly 1,800 responded. A whopping 94% said yes to her resignation, while just 4% opposed such a move.
Should Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson resign?
Yes
94%
No
4%
I'm undecided
1%
“Public trust has been violated for the second time, she needs to leave,” reader Richard from Dorchester said.
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Fernandes Anderson has faced numerous legal issues in recent years. In July 2023, she admitted guilt and agreed to pay a $5,000 civil penalty after violating conflict of interest laws by hiring her sister and son to paid positions on her Boston City Council staff, according to the Massachusetts State Ethics Commission. And in November 2024, Fernandes Anderson received a citation for failing to report $32,900 worth of campaign contributions, and for taking contributions that exceeded state limits.
Many residents of District 7 responded to our poll expressing extreme disappointment in her downfall; others argued the charges don’t change their opinions of her, saying she is innocent until proven guilty.
Below, readers – many of them District 7 constituents – share why, or why not, Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson should resign.
Should Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson resign?
Yes
“Tania Fernandes Anderson represents me and my district. I am deeply aggrieved that she has taken advantage of and abused the voters’ trust. I have been disappointed in her behavior in the past (public outbursts, etc.), but most unfortunately, I voted for her. Our district and young people need better representation and role models. Fernandes Anderson has to go. Extremely disappointed!” – Ollie O., Dorchester
“There is no room for corruption in our government. We must have the highest standards of professional conduct and ethics, without exceptions. Government officials have a higher standard of ethics because we place our trust in them to serve our needs. Nepotism is a prime example of corruption. Everyone on the planet knows that the relationship between a family member and an employee is fundamentally different, and the former would represent compromised ethics, undoubtedly. We deserve better in the South End. We pay way too much in taxes to accept this type of individual in our government, and we demand better.” – Nate O., South End
“She should resign because this is not her first questionable act. She should have resigned after we found out she hired her sister and son. This is after she took a required ethics seminar as all city councilors do.” – Vann S., Dorchester
“Councilor Fernandes Anderson has the right to due process and (I pray) she ought to respect her own rights to due process by resigning. On a practical level, how would she even be able to show up to work at City Hall during all of this? Serving as city councilor for District 7 is not a job that someone can just ‘phone in’ and ‘work from home.’ D7 constituents, and members of the public as a whole, deserve and are entitled to better public service.” – Mink S., Dorchester
“Because it’s a conflict of interest to serve in office while being charged with in-office crimes, and she needs to focus on her trial to let residents vote on a replacement they can trust.” – Hilary, Revere
“Acknowledging that everyone has the right to due-process, politicians under indictment have a responsibility to the public; They step aside for their own benefit as well as the public’s. If he or she is exonerated, the person is free to have their name back on the ballot. This is true for Anderson as it should have been for recent members of Congress.” – Neil R., South Boston
“It is completely unfair to the struggling people of this community that someone in this position of power would put her city at risk. It was just really sad and honestly made me cry. This is a really big setback, not only for the Commonwealth but for our community to place trust in the hands of the people supposedly caring for our best interests.” – Rachel M., Dorchester
“Boston doesn’t need this headache. You cannot take the ‘moral highground’ then proceed to take advantage of your position. We need sensible council members tackling issues that actually help everyone in Boston, not someone who’s going to be fighting federal corruption charges for the foreseeable future.” – Andrew D., Back Bay
“An elected official stealing from her constituents is the utmost slap in the face to those same constituents. Character unbecoming a Boston City Councilor (or anyone who steals from others).” – Sheila H., West Roxbury
No
“She’s entitled to due process. However, she should be suspended from the City Council immediately pending further investigation and court proceedings.” – Bobby D., Winthrop
“She is not convicted. Resign if guilty. Due process is vital, respectfully.” – Johnny, Boston
“She is clearly being targeted as a woman of color.” – Pat, Boston
“No, she should not resign. This is about massive and persistent poverty in our society. We need to consider the root cause of the issue. Sometimes good individuals commit crimes not because she/he is a bad person but because of their circumstances: persistent poverty or low socio-economic class.” – Donald T., Groveland
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