Since being federally indicted on fraud charges in April, a Massachusetts state senator has been absent from action and out of communication, leading his entire district to demand his resignation.
In Chris Flanagan’s Cape Cod district, Yarmouth is the third and last municipality to vote in favor of writing the Democratic representative to ask him to resign. Dennis and Brewster had already made their requests.
Flanagan was detained by federal officials on suspicion of stealing tens of thousands of dollars from a previous job, concealing the thefts, and using the proceeds to finance his campaign for public office and pay personal expenses.
Since entering a not guilty plea to the charges at a court hearing in April, Flanagan has not been sighted in public. He did not participate in recorded votes or submit amendments to the House’s fiscal year 2026 spending proposal, nor did he attend the annual budget discussion.
The $82,044 two-term representative is subject to requirements that he either keep his current job or actively look for another one.
Tracy Post, the chairwoman of the Yarmouth Select Board, stated that while you can continue to work, you are not required to use tax dollars if you are not performing your duties. If you are unwilling to go to the State House and cast votes on behalf of your constituents, choose another job.
“We were elected to do this job,” Post continued. There is a way for people to remove you from office if you simply fail to show up for numerous meetings.
Liz Argo, a coworker of Post’s, reported that she attempted to contact Flanagan before to the board’s Tuesday meeting but was met with a full mailbox and received no response. Members of the Dennis and Brewster Select Boards brought up the same concern: Flanagan has not returned calls or emails.
That was more than enough for me, Argo remarked. As the representative, you don’t act like that.
Flanagan serves on four legislative committees as a state representative, including the Cybersecurity, Internet, and Advanced Information Technology Committees.
Following Flanagan’s arrest, other lawmakers, including Governor Maura Healey and Senator Julian Cyr, a Democrat from Provincetown, expressed their surprise and sadness at the charges against the senator.
Calls for Flanagan to step down before his legal matter is settled, however, were deemed premature by House Speaker Ron Mariano.
The case’s initial status conference, which was originally set for May 22, was rescheduled for Wednesday. However, a federal magistrate judge postponed the hearing until July 23 once more.
The Democrat Flanagan, who was elected to a second term in November, was charged by the prosecution with masterminding a complex plot to steal $36,000 from the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Cape Cod between November 2021 and January 2023.
A section of the Brewster Select Board’s letter reads, “We expect much of your time and energy will be spent defending yourself in this matter and not working in our interest, even though your innocence on these charges is presumed.”
In a letter earlier this month, the Dennis Select Board also stated that Flanagan must leave because he is failing to meet their needs.
According to the letter, in order to guarantee effective planning, problem-solving, and keeping us informed about future state funding sources and awards, we require a representative in the state legislature who can successfully communicate with state boards and commissions.
Regretfully, it persists; that is impossible while there is no one occupying the seat in the legislature that represents us.
