--- title: "Massachusetts Rep. Paulino Arrested on Fraud Charges" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/massachusetts-rep-paulino-arrested-on-fraud-charges" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/massachusetts-rep-paulino-arrested-on-fraud-charges" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/massachusetts-rep-paulino-arrested-on-fraud-charges.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/massachusetts-rep-paulino-arrested-on-fraud-charges" category: "Politics" area: "United States" published: "2026-08-26T20:25:12.525Z" source_reported: "2026-08-26T18:01:00.000Z" updated: "2026-08-26T20:25:12.525Z" trust_score: 42 critic_score: 60 hype_score: 61 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-08-26T21:38:43.995Z" --- # Massachusetts Rep. Paulino Arrested on Fraud Charges *State lawmaker accused of scamming over $700,000 in federal pandemic relief funds.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. Central claim attributed to named official, but relies on anonymous sourcing for some details. - Craft 60 of 100, higher is better. Quotes affected parties and names specific details, but lacks comment on future actions or unknowns. - Hype 61 of 100, lower is better. Headline uses 'ARRESTED' and 'FRAUD' prominently, with 'BREAKING' tag, creating urgency. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - Massachusetts State Representative Francisco Paulino was arrested and charged with 11 counts including pandemic unemployment insurance fraud, pandemic loan fraud, and money laundering. - U.S. Attorney Leah Foley stated Paulino allegedly devised a scheme to obtain more than $700,000 in federal pandemic relief funds. - Paulino is accused of using some of the funds for personal use, including real estate, loan payments, and his campaign account. - The alleged fraud began in 2020 when Paulino signed up for COVID relief funding for a relative. Massachusetts State Representative Francisco Paulino has been arrested and charged with 11 counts related to pandemic unemployment insurance fraud, pandemic loan fraud, and money laundering. U.S. Attorney Leah Foley announced that Paulino allegedly devised a scheme to obtain over $700,000 in federal pandemic relief funds. According to the indictment, Paulino is accused of using some of the funds for personal benefit, including expenses for real estate, loan payments, and transfers to his campaign account. He also allegedly lent other funds to individuals at interest rates higher than those offered by the pandemic relief program. The alleged fraud began in 2020 when Paulino reportedly signed up for COVID relief funding for a relative. Paulino's arrest follows that of Lawrence Mayor Brian DePeña, who was also arrested this month on similar charges of pandemic loan fraud and money laundering. DePeña is accused of diverting public funds since 2020, using pandemic relief money for his tire shop, mayoral campaign, and personal debts. ## Coverage comparison ## What the coverage left out None of the right-rated reports below mention the specific amount of money Lawrence Mayor Brian DePeña allegedly diverted or the name of his business, Tenares Tire Services Inc. ## Who covered it Shares of the 28 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 14% (4) - Centre: 32% (9) - Right: 54% (15) 4 of 32 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-08-26T21:38:43.995Z. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 2 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-08-26T20:45:11.362Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left No separate framing summary. ### Centre No separate framing summary. ### Right - Fox News reported on the arrest of Massachusetts State Representative Francisco Paulino, highlighting that he is a Democratic Party official. The outlet stated that Paulino was charged with 11 counts related to pandemic unemployment insurance fraud, pandemic loan fraud, and money laundering. Fox News quoted U.S. Attorney Leah Foley stating that Paulino allegedly devised a scheme to obtain more than $700,000 in federal pandemic relief funds and used some for personal use, including real estate, loan payments, and his campaign account. The report also noted that Paulino allegedly lent other money to individuals at higher interest rates. Fox News mentioned that Paulino's alleged fraud began in 2020 when he signed up for COVID relief funding for a relative. The outlet also reported on the recent arrest of Lawrence Mayor Brian DePeña on similar charges, noting that DePeña allegedly used pandemic relief funds for his campaign and personal debts. **Provisional coverage gap:** left. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - veryLow: 1 - low: 6 - mixed: 8 - high: 6 - unknown: 4 - veryHigh: 7 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [Internewscast](https://internewscast.com/news/us/democratic-officials-charged-in-alleged-covid-relief-funds-fraud-scheme) — Democratic Officials Charged in Alleged COVID Relief Funds Fraud Scheme - [New York Post](https://nypost.com/2026/08/26/us-news/democratic-officials-charged-with-fraud-due-to-alleged-covid-relief-funds-scam) — Democratic officials charged with fraud due to alleged COVID relief funds scam - [The Blaze](https://theblaze.com/news/massachusetts-state-arrest-pandemic-fraud) — Democrat state lawmaker ARRESTED for allegedly STEALING federal pandemic funds - [IBTimes UK](https://ibtimes.co.uk/massachusetts-rep-francisco-paulino-pandemic-fraud-1816494) — Massachusetts Democrat Rep Arrested for Pandemic Fraud, Second Local Official Charged in Weeks - [realnewsnow.com](https://realnewsnow.com/two-massachusetts-democrats-charged-in-separate-covid-relief-fraud-schemes) — Two Massachusetts Democrats Charged in Separate COVID Relief Fraud Schemes - Real News Now - [大纪元 Epoch Times](https://epochtimes.com/b5/26/8/26/n14837308.htm) — Massachusetts State Legislator Arrested on Suspicion of Fraudulently Claiming COVID-19 Relief Funds. - [Newsmax](https://newsmax.com/politics/francisco-paulino-massachusetts-pandemic/2026/08/26/id/1267408) — Mass. Democrat Paulino Charged With Pandemic Relief Fraud - [The Gateway Pundit](https://thegatewaypundit.com/2026/08/fbi-arrests-massachusetts-democrat-state-covid-relief-fraud) — FBI Arrests Massachusetts Democrat State Rep. on COVID Relief Fraud Charges — Second Lawrence-Area Democrat Busted This Month * The Gateway Pundit * by Jim Hᴏft - [Washington Times](https://washingtontimes.com/news/2026/aug/26/democratic-pols-charged-covid-fraud-massachusetts) — Democratic pols charged with COVID fraud in Massachusetts - [Times of India](https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/700000-taxpayer-scam-mass-rep-paulino-charged-with-pandemic-benefit-fraud-money-laundering/videoshow/133548606.cms) — '$700,000 taxpayer scam!': Mass. Rep. Paulino charged with pandemic benefit fraud, money laundering - [democraticaccent.com](https://democraticaccent.com/democrat-officials-charged-for-allegedly-scamming-covid-relief-funds) — Democrat officials charged for allegedly scamming COVID relief funds – Democratic Accent - [Fox News](https://foxnews.com/politics/democrat-officials-charged-allegedly-scamming-covid-relief-funds) — Democratic officials charged for allegedly scamming COVID relief funds - [TrendingPolitics](https://trendingpoliticsnews.com/just-in-massachusetts-democrat-rep-arrested-by-the-fbi-cmc) — JUST IN: Massachusetts Democrat Rep. Arrested By The FBI - [Boston.com](https://boston.com/news/local-news/2026/08/26/appalling-methuen-state-rep-arrested-on-pandemic-relief-fraud-charges) — 'Appalling': Methuen state rep. arrested on pandemic relief fraud charges - [100% FED UP!](https://100percentfedup.com/breaking-democrat-massachusetts-state-rep-arrested-hit-11) — BREAKING: Democrat Massachusetts State Rep Arrested, Hit With 11 Federal Counts in Pandemic Fraud Case – 100PercentFedUp.com – by Jack - [WGBH](https://wgbh.org/news/local/2026-08-26/massachusetts-state-rep-indicted-on-wire-fraud-money-laundering-charges) — Massachusetts state rep indicted on wire fraud, money laundering charges - [WBUR](https://wbur.org/news/2026/08/26/massachusetts-francisco-paulino-pandemic-unemployment-fraud-indictment) — Methuen state Rep. Paulino indicted on federal fraud charges, weeks after Lawrence mayor was also charged - [RedState](https://redstate.com/bobhoge/2026/08/26/something-in-the-water-two-ma-public-officials-charged-with-massively-pillaging-covid-relief-funds-n2206102) — Something in the Water? Two MA Public Officials Charged With Massively Pillaging COVID Relief Funds - [WHAV](https://whav.net/2026/08/26/feds-indict-arrest-methuen-rep-paulino-on-pandemic-aid-fraud-charges) — Feds Indict, Arrest Methuen Rep. Paulino on Pandemic Aid Fraud Charges - [The Daily News of Newburyport](https://newburyportnews.com/news/regional_news/methuen-rep-paulino-indicted-on-federal-fraud-charges/article_c75cc281-a422-4ae0-af5d-cf7231c41f2a.html) — Methuen Rep. Paulino indicted on federal fraud charges - [statehousenews.com](https://statehousenews.com/news/legislature/house/methuen-rep-paulino-indicted-on-federal-fraud-charges/article_25650837-d9de-4f62-9c60-82a5cf8812fe.html) — Methuen Rep. Paulino indicted on federal fraud charges - [The Maine Wire](https://themainewire.com/2026/08/federal-fraud-investigation-reaches-deeper-into-lawrence-ma-politics-as-state-rep-francisco-paulino-arrested) — Federal Fraud Investigation Reaches Deeper Into Lawrence Ma. Politics as State Rep. Francisco Paulino Arrested - [Boston Herald](https://bostonherald.com/2026/08/26/massachusetts-state-rep-francisco-paulino-arrested-on-pandemic-benefit-fraud-charges) — Massachusetts state Rep. Francisco Paulino arrested on pandemic benefit fraud charges - [The Sun (Lowell)](https://lowellsun.com/2026/08/26/massachusetts-state-rep-francisco-paulino-arrested-on-pandemic-benefit-fraud-charges) — Massachusetts state Rep. Francisco Paulino arrested on pandemic benefit fraud charges - [Boston 25 News](https://boston25news.com/news/local/state-representative-charged-alleged-pandemic-benefit-fraud/3MRKRW623RHINLCNBBSMKJSC7A) — State representative charged for alleged pandemic benefit fraud - [Boston Globe](https://bostonglobe.com/2026/08/26/metro/francisco-paulino-pandemic-relief-fraud) — Methuen state representative arrested on pandemic relief fraud charges - The Boston Globe - [WMUR](https://wmur.com/article/massachusetts-rep-francisco-paulino-indicted-on-wire-fraud-money-laundering-charges-for-alleged-misuse-of-covid-19-funds-officials-say/73531635) — Mass. Rep. Francisco Paulino indicted on federal charges for alleged misuse of COVID-19 funds - [Telemundo Nueva Inglaterra](https://telemundonuevainglaterra.com/noticias/local/arrestan-representante-estatal-mass-fraude-beneficios-pandemia/2605382) — Mass State Representative Arrested for Alleged Pandemic Profit Fraud · Global Voices - [WHDH](https://whdh.com/news/state-rep-francisco-paulino-arrested-indicted-for-covid-benefits-fraud) — State Rep. Francisco Paulino arrested, indicted for Covid benefits fraud - Boston News, Weather, Sports - [WCVB](https://wcvb.com/article/massachusetts-rep-francisco-paulino-indicted-on-wire-fraud-money-laundering-charges-for-alleged-misuse-of-covid-19-funds-officials-say/73531193) — Mass. Rep. indicted on federal charges for alleged misuse of COVID-19 funds - [WLTReport](https://wltreport.com/2026/08/26/massachusetts-democrat-francisco-paulino-arrested-pandemic-fraud) — BREAKING: Democrat Massachusetts State Rep Arrested, Hit With 11 Federal Counts in Pandemic Fraud Case - [NBC Boston](https://nbcboston.com/news/local/mass-state-rep-francisco-paulino-arrested-lawrence-mayor-brian-depena-fraud-indictment/4004076) — Mass. State Rep. Francisco Paulino arrested for alleged pandemic benefit fraud ## Questions **What charges does Massachusetts State Rep. Francisco Paulino face?** State Representative Francisco Paulino faces 11 counts related to pandemic unemployment insurance fraud, pandemic loan fraud, and money laundering. He is accused of orchestrating a scheme to obtain over $700,000 in federal pandemic relief funds. **How did Francisco Paulino allegedly use the pandemic relief funds?** According to the indictment, Paulino allegedly used some of the funds for personal expenses such as real estate and loan payments, and also transferred money to his campaign account. He also reportedly lent money to others at higher interest rates. **When did the alleged fraud by Francisco Paulino begin?** The alleged fraud by Francisco Paulino reportedly began in 2020. At that time, he is accused of signing up for COVID relief funding on behalf of a relative. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/politics/massachusetts-rep-paulino-arrested-on-fraud-charges. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "Massachusetts Rep. Paulino Arrested on Fraud Charges", https://mediabias.news/politics/massachusetts-rep-paulino-arrested-on-fraud-charges