Lawrence Mayor Brian DePeña Arrested Over $1.5 Million COVID Loan Fraud, Facing 30 Years
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Aug 18
Lawrence Mayor Brian DePeña Arrested Over $1.5 Million COVID Loan Fraud, Facing 30 Years
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Aug 18
Summary
Federal agents arrested Lawrence Mayor Brian DePeña, 61, on charges he diverted more than $1.5 million in COVID-19 relief loans to his mayoral campaign and personal debts.
Prosecutors said the money came from SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans that DePeña sought for Tenares Tire Services Inc., his Lawrence tire shop, under the CARES Act pandemic aid program.
30 years in prison is the maximum penalty if he is convicted, with U.S. Attorney Leah Foley accusing him of betraying constituents’ trust through alleged corruption and lies.
A post-arraignment video spread widely after DePeña’s lawyer told reporters the mayor 'doesn’t speak English,' and separate footage appeared to show the lawyer’s car hitting a parked vehicle while leaving.
DePeña, elected mayor in 2021 and re-elected in 2025 after serving on the City Council, now faces a federal case that could upend leadership in Lawrence.