Smirking Massachusetts Mayor Refuses to Answer Questions About $1M COVID Fraud Outside Court Because ‘He Doesn’t Speak English’

A smirking mayor refused to answer questions outside of court after being charged with fraudulently obtaining pandemic loans worth over $1 million and using the money to fund his election campaign as well as pay off high-interest mortgages.

Brian DePena, the Mayor of Lawrence, Massachusetts, and a Dominican native, made an initial appearance in federal court in Boston Friday, where he was charged with one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering.

He was released after agreeing to several conditions, including turning his passport over and not seeking any loans without court approval, the Associated Press reports.

Despite the charges, footage from outside the court shows the 61-year-old smiling and waving at the press gaggle and responding “God bless” when asked if he would resign.

His lawyer repeatedly said “no comment” as he was being asked the questions, before adding: “He doesn’t speak English.”

DePena is accused of obtaining over $1.5 million in COVID small-business loans for his tire sales business. However, he allegedly used some of the proceeds to fund his mayoral campaign, pay personal taxes and pay off over $880,000 in high-interest mortgages for various properties in Lawrence, the United States Attorney’s Office said.

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DePena was elected Mayor of Lawrence in November of 2021 and was reelected in November of 2025. He previously served on the Lawrence City Council for six years.

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