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As Fernandes Anderson’s sentencing looms, read what Boston city councilors wrote in letters to judge
“Tania is not defined solely by this moment,” Councilor Brian Worrell wrote as his former colleague awaited sentencing on federal charges.
Ahead of her sentencing on federal wire fraud and theft charges Friday, former Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson saw a show of support from some of her former colleagues.
“Tania is not defined solely by this moment,” Councilor Brian Worrell wrote in a July 8 letter vouching for Fernandes Anderson’s character.
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He pointed to her decision to plead guilty after she was accused of pocketing thousands of dollars through a kickback scheme involving a family member who was part of her staff. Fernandes Anderson stepped down in July — months after she was arrested on federal public corruption charges.
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“I believe it reflects a person who is ready to learn from this chapter and continue contributing meaningfully to her community,” Worrell wrote.
Councilor Julia Mejia urged the court to weigh Fernandes Anderson’s efforts “to create opportunities for her constituents to engage in the planning and development processes that shape our neighborhoods while strengthening community voice.”
And Councilor Liz Breadon evoked Fernandes Anderson’s children in asking U.S. District Court Judge India Talwani to consider sentencing her former colleague to at-home confinement instead of prison time.
“While Tanya [sic] has undoubtedly fallen short in our expectations of a public servant, she has also demonstrated a heartfelt commitment to effectively serve the most vulnerable populations in our city,” Breadon wrote.
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Letters from community leaders and Fernandes Anderson’s friends, family, and former constituents were also among the dozens of pleas for leniency filed in court. Three state lawmakers — Sen. Liz Miranda and Reps. Christopher Worrell and Russell E. Holmes — also voiced support for the embattled politician.
Fernandes Anderson is scheduled for sentencing at 3 p.m. Friday.
Read the letters from Councilors Brian Worrell, Julia Mejia, and Liz Breadon:
Read the letters from state Sen. Liz Miranda and Reps. Christopher Worrell and Russell E. Holmes:
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