Lawrence mayor won't resign after indictments over $1.5M in pandemic loans and wiretaps
Lawrence Mayor Brian DePeña was arrested by the FBI on August 14, 2026 and later indicted by a federal grand jury on four counts of wire fraud and seven counts of money laundering. Prosecutors allege he obtained more than $1.5 million in COVID-era disaster loans for his tire business and used the money for his mayoral campaign, personal back taxes and about $883,000 in hard-money mortgages; as of August 2026 he had made 16 payments on the loan. A state grand jury separately indicted him on 14 wiretapping counts and one count of witness intimidation tied to recordings at City Hall. DePeña, re-elected in November 2025, has said he will not resign. On October 20, 2026 the City Council passed a no-confidence resolution with five votes in favor, one against and three voting present, which has no power to remove him; activists started a recall effort. Charges are unproven.
Lawrence city councilors voted no confidence on Tuesday night in Mayor Brian DePeña's ability to lead the city as he faces 26 state and federal criminal charges.
Emails later showed the Lawrence mayor also ordered a taxpayer-payer funded independent investigation to cease before it had been completed.
Brian A. DePena was indicted on four counts of wire fraud and seven counts of money laundering. DePena was previously charged by criminal complaint and arrested on Aug. 14, 2026.
Said he will not resign and plans to serve the remainder of his term.
No outcome recorded yet.