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‘Please forgive me’: Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson to resign after agreeing to plead guilty in corruption case
The councilor announced her plan to resign hours after agreeing to plead guilty to one count each of wire fraud and theft.
Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson announced Tuesday that she would resign after she agreed to plead guilty to federal public corruption charges.
“I have decided to plead guilty and resolve the case brought against me,” Fernandes Anderson said in a statement from her attorney. “I would like to apologize to my constituents, supporters, and all who have been impacted. Please forgive me.”
Fernandes Anderson said in the statement that she would resign because “it is the right thing to do” and promised to “make an orderly exit to ensure my constituents’ needs are met.”
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She announced her resignation hours after U.S. Attorney Leah Foley filed a plea agreement informing the court that the city councilor would plead guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of theft.
Fernandes Anderson was arrested in December 2024 for allegedly orchestrating a kickback scheme to funnel thousands of dollars in cash from a staff member to use for herself, according to U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy. At the time, she pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutors recommended a prison sentence of a year and a day, followed by three years of supervised release, along with restitution of $13,000, according to the plea agreement.
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After her arrest, Fernandes Anderson continued to participate in City Council meetings despite calls for her resignation from Mayor Michelle Wu and several of her colleagues.
Fernandes Anderson represents District 7, which includes Dorchester, Roxbury, Fenway, and part of the South End, on the City Council.
“I will have more to say at the appropriate time in court but I will not be commenting further beyond this statement,” Fernandes Anderson said in the statement. “I pray that the press will respect my privacy, as well as the privacy of my family.”
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