Embattled Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson pleaded guilty Monday, May 5, to wire fraud and theft of public funds—but despite her admission in federal court, she is refusing to give up her seat or her $120,000 taxpayer-funded salary.
Her continued stay in office is drawing mounting criticism from constituents, colleagues, and federal prosecutors.
Anderson, 46, admitted to a brazen scheme in which she funneled a $14,000 city-funded bonus to a staffer who is also her relative, then pocketed $7,000 of it in a City Hall bathroom, according to federal prosecutors…