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The mayor of a northern Massachusetts town went viral on social media in recent days after his lawyer told reporters he doesn’t speak English when they pressed him on being arrested for COVID-19 pandemic relief fraud.
Lawrence Mayor Brian DePeña, 61, was arrested Friday morning following an investigation into his alleged misuse of more than $1.5 million of Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), a program administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) under the CARES Act to assist struggling businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“He doesn’t speak English, no comment,” DePeña’s lawyer said in the clip as DePeña repeatedly smiles and said, “God bless you,” to the reporters.
The clip of the exchange quickly spread on social media, prompting criticism from users wondering aloud why the mayor wouldn’t be able to answer questions in English.
MASSACHUSETTS MAYOR CHARGED WITH WIRE FRAUD IN $1.5M COVID RELIEF SCHEME
Lawrence Mayor Brian DePeña faces federal charges for allegedly using pandemic-relief funds meant to assist struggling business for his mayoral campaign and to pay off his personal debts. DePeña applied for the funds to help Tenares Tire Services Inc., his tire shop in Lawrence, federal prosecutors said. (City of Lawrence)
“OMG,” conservative influencer account LibsofTikTok wrote on X in a post viewed over 1 million times. “How is this real.”
“‘He doesn’t speak English, no comment’ says the assistant of the mayor of an American city,” conservative radio host Mike Gallagher posted on X. “Our melting pot has completely melted.”
WHITE HOUSE PUSHES ‘WATERSHED’ FRAUD-FIGHTING REFORM IN CONGRESS AS VANCE CONVENES TASK FORCE
A sign advertises a COVID-19 vaccination site in New York, Feb. 2, 2021. A Brooklyn woman who pleaded guilty to fraud in connection with various pandemic-era relief schemes was sentenced on Feb 8, 2024, to three years of probation and $650,000 in penalties. (Seth Wenig/AP Photo)
“English fluency should be a basic prerequisite for holding public office,” journalist Miranda Devine posted on X.
“This is what happens when we not only import the third world, but elect the third world,” Texas Republican congressional candidate Jace Yarbrough posted on X. “Why is an unassimilated foreigner a mayor in America?”
Shortly after the exchange with reporters, users on social media posted video appearing to show the car DePeña left in crashing into another parked car while attempting to drive away.
Fox News Digital reached out to DePeña’s office for comment.
DePeña was elected mayor of Lawrence in November 2021 and won re-election in November 2025. He previously served on the Lawrence City Council from 2016 to 2021.
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“Mayor DePeña was elected to be a leader for the City of Lawrence,” said U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley. “He was looked up to and trusted by his constituents, but he betrayed that trust through his alleged corruption and lies. Today’s arrest is just another example of our determination to root out fraud by anyone, even public officials, and hold elected officials accountable.”
If convicted, DePeña faces up to 30 years in prison.
Fox News Digital reached out to DePeña’s lawyer, Carlos Apostle, for comment.
Fox News Digital’s Louis Casiano contributed to this report.