House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) released the following statement after federal authorities arrested Representative Christopher Flanagan (D-Dennis Port) on charges of defrauding his former employer and using the money for campaign expenses and his own personal use:
“Representative Flanagan’s arrest is disturbing but not surprising. We have known for several months about the ongoing investigation into these serious charges of misappropriating funds, but now that a court case is moving forward, it is clear what must be done. Representative Flanagan has betrayed his oath of office, and I am urging him to do the right thing for his constituents by resigning immediately. If he refuses to do so, then Speaker Mariano should immediately authorize and direct the House Ethics Committee to begin proceedings in this matter, as I had previously requested in January.”
