Lawrence Mayor Brian DePeña Accused of Fraud and Money Laundering Over Pandemic Loans

Lawrence Mayor Brian DePeña faces accusations of wire fraud and money laundering, stemming from the alleged misuse of small business loans during the COVID-19 pandemic. DePeña, who emigrated to the United States in the 1980s, arrived by "yola" (small boat) to Puerto Rico before settling in Lawrence, Massachusetts.

During an interview with Univision last month, DePeña shared his journey, stating, "I was an undocumented immigrant in this country. I arrived here and I didn't have papers." He was born in Santo Domingo and grew up in Miches, El Seibo province, in the Dominican Republic. After completing primary and secondary education, he studied Hospitality in Santo Domingo.

Before his emigration, DePeña worked at the Hotel Caribeño in Santo Domingo. Motivated by a sibling, he embarked on the perilous "yola" journey to Puerto Rico, where he stayed for about two years. He then moved to New York, living there for approximately 13 years and working in construction and building maintenance.

In 1989, DePeña relocated to Lawrence, Massachusetts, with his elder children, seeking a better future. He opened his first business, "Brian's Hardware," reportedly the first Latin-owned hardware store in the city center. With his father, he developed it into a successful enterprise, achieving financial independence and acquiring several commercial properties. Currently, he also owns Tenares Tire Services and DePeña Auto Services. DePeña, 61, is married to Dilenny DePeña, and they have seven children and five grandchildren.

DePeña became involved in politics in the early 1990s, coinciding with the growing Latino population in Lawrence and the need for greater political representation. After working on numerous campaigns, he ran for city councilor in 2015, serving two terms. He states that his time on the Finance and Personnel Committees provided him with a deep understanding of the city's operations and structure.