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According to federal prosecutors, Flanagan’s crimes go back over a year. While serving as executive officer of the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Cape Cod, he allegedly siphoned off funds intended for organizational use—then redirected them to pay off personal credit card bills, buy dress shirts, toys, ties, and even splurge on “personal psychic services.”
Yes, you read that correctly—Flanagan used stolen money to consult a psychic.
Records show that from late 2021 into 2023, Flanagan’s financial situation was spiraling. He was buried in debt, missing mortgage payments, and bouncing checks. But instead of tightening his belt like most Americans would, he apparently decided to steal from his employer to maintain appearances.
At one point, prosecutors say he used $10,000 of the stolen money to boost his re-election campaign in 2023. That race was hotly contested, and Flanagan was desperate to keep his seat—which had previously been held by a Republican. In a previous campaign, Flanagan was already fined $15,000 for shady dealings, including running a phony group called “Conservatives for Chris Flanagan” and hiding donations using a fake name.
The federal indictment outlines how Flanagan forged campaign finance records, submitted bogus expense reports, and tried to pass off the stolen $10,000 as a legitimate “candidate loan.” But investigators say that story doesn’t add up—especially since his bank account had just $42.28 in it a month before the alleged transaction.
And the spending wasn’t subtle. Among the items prosecutors say were purchased with embezzled funds: an electric dryer, an air conditioner, and clothing—including ties and t-shirts for his campaign.
“If he refuses to [resign], then Speaker [Ron] Mariano should immediately authorize and direct the House Ethics Committee to begin proceedings in this matter,” said Republican House Minority Leader Brad Jones.
Flanagan was pulling in a combined salary of over $178,000 from his state job and his role with the Remodelers Association. Yet despite that hefty income, federal officials say he couldn’t stay financially afloat without dipping into funds that weren’t his.
And now the once-rising Democrat finds himself disgraced, under indictment, and facing calls for immediate resignation from both parties. Governor Maura Healey and other top Democrats have already begun distancing themselves, urging Flanagan to step down before things get worse.
The pattern emerging in Massachusetts politics should alarm anyone watching: back-to-back scandals, bribery, fraud, and now psychic-funded corruption. As the federal dragnet tightens, the question remains—how many more skeletons are hiding in the closets of Massachusetts Democrats?
Stay tuned. This saga is far from over.
