Lawrence Mayor Brian DePena Faces Recall Effort
Lawrence Mayor Brian A. DePena, 61, is resisting resignation demands following an 11-count federal pandemic loan fraud indictment and a separate 15-count Massachusetts indictment alleging illegal distribution of intercepted communications and witness intimidation.
The accusations have also prompted a City Council no-confidence motion and a voter-led recall effort.
Key Takeaways
- Federal charges: Prosecutors accuse DePena of misusing pandemic business loans to cover personal debts and political campaign expenses.
- State charges: A separate investigation concerns secret audio recordings at City Hall and alleged witness intimidation.
- Political consequences: The council has expressed no confidence in DePena, while residents are pursuing a recall election.
- Legal proceedings: DePena pleaded not guilty to the state charges, with another court appearance scheduled for December 9.
Federal Pandemic Loan Fraud Charges
The U.S. Department of Justice announced the federal indictment on August 26, 2026, following a federal grand jury indictment alleging pandemic loan fraud and unlawful monetary transactions.
Federal prosecutors charged DePena with four counts of wire fraud and seven counts of money laundering. The charges concern Economic Injury Disaster Loans obtained through Tenares Tire Services Inc., his Lawrence automotive business.
Federal prosecutors allege that DePena secured $1,654,400 in SBA loans during 2020 and 2021. The money was intended to provide working capital for businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
DePena allegedly used $883,293 to repay high-interest property debts, $132,112.96 for mayoral campaign-related payments and $85,000 for personal Internal Revenue Service liabilities.
Prosecutors say that on November 30, 2021, $1,154,188 was deposited into the company’s bank account. DePena allegedly transferred the entire amount that day into a personal account previously holding just $1,401.
Federal investigators identified two subsequent treasurer’s checks, for $538,109.03 and $345,184.13, allegedly used to repay mortgages on Lawrence properties in December 2021.
As of August 5, 2026, prosecutors said DePena had made only 16 payments on the business loan, leaving approximately $1,654,420 in outstanding principal.
State Charges Involving City Hall Surveillance
The Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office announced 15 separate criminal indictments on September 24, 2026, arising from an investigation into surveillance equipment inside Lawrence City Hall.
State prosecutors allege that DePena arranged for private security cameras to be installed in his executive office suite in 2023. Unlike the city’s authorized security system, the equipment could record audio without alerting employees or visitors.
In March 2026, the system allegedly recorded a private conversation between two municipal employees in a public hallway outside the mayor’s office without their knowledge or consent.
The attorney general alleges that DePena knowingly distributed the intercepted recording to 14 separate individuals. He faces 14 counts of distributing a wiretapped communication and one count of witness intimidation involving an individual cooperating with investigators in August 2026.
DePena Denies Allegations and Resists Resignation
During his October 13, 2026, state arraignment, DePena pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released on personal recognizance.
His defense attorney, Neil Faigel, argued that the mayor “is not an IT person” and lacked the administrative access necessary to operate the surveillance equipment.
Faigel maintained that IT personnel installed the cameras to address building security vulnerabilities, disputing the prosecution’s characterization of DePena’s involvement.
DePena has rejected demands to resign, maintaining his position as mayor while the criminal cases proceed.
City Council Vote and Recall Campaign
The Lawrence City Council approved a no-confidence motion against DePena. The council’s exact vote tally was not specified in the available account of the motion.
Although the resolution communicates opposition to the mayor, the council lacks independent authority to remove him solely because of the pending indictments.
Recall organizers must collect and obtain certification of at least 7,079 registered voter signatures within a strict 30-day period to trigger a recall election.
The recall campaign presents a separate challenge to DePena’s continued leadership as Lawrence mayor, regardless of the outcome of the pending criminal proceedings.
December Court Hearing Scheduled
DePena’s next scheduled state court appearance is a December 9, 2026, status hearing.
The federal fraud prosecution and Massachusetts surveillance case remain separate proceedings. Both involve criminal allegations, and DePena is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
