Massachusetts State Rep. Francisco Paulino Charged With Pandemic Benefit Fraud, Money Laundering

Massachusetts State Rep. Francisco Paulino was arrested in Lawrence Wednesday and charged with pandemic benefit fraud and money laundering.

Federal prosecutors said Paulino, 61, fraudulently obtained more than $700,000 in COVID unemployment insurance benefits and small-business loans. He allegedly then used those funds to buy property and loan money to clients of his tax preparation and mortgage businesses before he was elected to the State House in 2023.

Paulino, a Democrat, represents the 16th Essex District which includes Lawrence and Methuen. He lives in Methuen.

He was indicted on eight counts of wire fraud and three counts of unlawful monetary transactions. Federal prosecutors said Paulino used intermediaries and the identities of other people, “to funnel pandemic-related relief funds to his own personal and business bank accounts,” from April 2020 to December 2021.

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