Massachusetts State Representative Chris Flanagan was arrested on federal embezzlement charges Friday, becoming the second Democratic official in the state to face legal trouble in just one week. Federal prosecutors allege that Flanagan misappropriated approximately $36,000 from a former employer to fund campaign expenses, pay personal debts, and buy household items.

The charges stem from Flanagan’s time as executive officer of the Home Builders and Remodelers Association on Cape Cod. According to U.S. Attorney Leah Foley, he admitted to the theft when confronted by the organization and promised repayment. Afterward, he resigned, and the case was turned over to federal authorities.

A federal indictment revealed that $10,000 of the stolen money was funneled directly into his 2023 reelection campaign. Flanagan had previously been fined $15,000 for creating a fake conservative political group and using a false identity to bypass campaign finance laws.

Beyond campaign materials like T-shirts, Flanagan used the funds for personal purchases, including dress shirts, ties, children’s toys, an electric dryer, and even “psychic services.” These details, confirmed by the Boston Globe and federal investigators, paint a picture of financial misuse for both political and personal gain.

To hide the theft, Flanagan submitted falsified expense reports and claimed reimbursements for bogus charges. He later deposited $10,000 into his own bank account, falsely reporting it as a campaign loan. At the time, his account had just $42, making the deposit suspicious to investigators.

Despite earning over $97,000 as a state representative and another $81,600 from his association job, Flanagan had a history of financial struggles. Investigators cited patterns of overdraft fees, missed mortgage payments, and rising debt as early as 2021.

His arrest comes just days after Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson resigned following a guilty plea to accepting a bribe. The dual scandals have intensified scrutiny on Democratic leadership in the state.

In response, Democratic Governor Maura Healey and other leaders have called for Flanagan’s immediate resignation. House Minority Leader Brad Jones urged the legislature to initiate formal ethics proceedings if he refuses to step down.