LAWRENCE — City councilors are expected to discuss Mayor Brian DePena’s federal indictments related to $1.5 million in COVID-19 fraud, but it’s unclear if it will be in open session.
DePena, 61, was arrested by federal agents early Friday morning at his Lawrence home. He was released with a series of restrictions that included surrendering his passport, following an initial appearance in federal court in Boston Friday afternoon.
City Council President Jeovanny Rodriguez said councilors want more details on the indictments. The council may go into a closed door executive session to discuss the matter with the city attorney.
Rodriguez noted that the city charter has a provision that requires the City Council president to become acting mayor if the sitting mayor is away for more than three days. However, he doesn’t think the charter specifies any actions to take when a mayor is indicted or faces criminal charges.
DePena is accused of obtaining more than $1.5 million in COVID small-business loans and using the proceeds to fund his campaign account and pay personal taxes.
He allegedly used the money to pay off more than $880,000 in high-interest, hard-money mortgages that encumbered various properties he owned in Lawrence, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
The mayor is charged with one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering.
DePena, after his court appearance Friday, was ordered to surrender his passport, not to travel outside of Massachusetts and to not apply for any kind of loan or financial assistance.
DePena regularly travels to his native country of the Dominican Republic and had plans to fly to the Caribbean country on Friday, authorities said.
He was elected mayor of Lawrence in November 2021 and was reelected in November 2025. DePena previously served on the Lawrence City Council from 2016 until 2021.
DePena on Monday mornings regularly hosts a department heads meeting. That meeting was canceled this week.
On the advice of his attorney DePena has no immediate plans to publicly address the indictments, according to a spokesperson.
Juan “Manny” Gonzalez, who challenged DePena for the mayor’s seat in 2025, said he’s been contacted by many in the community regarding the indictments.
“I am deeply saddened and disappointed by the news,” said Gonzalez, a firefighter and community activist.
He said DePena deserves “the presumption of innocence,” but the headlines and new stories “hinder our reputation.
“We can’t ignore the broader impact repeated controversies have on the city of Lawrence…I pray for everyone that’s affected in this situation,” Gonzalez said.
The City Council meeting is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. on Tuesday at Lawrence City Hall, 200 Common St.
Follow staff reporter Jill Harmacinski on Twitter/X @EagleTribJill and Threads at jillyharma.