‘Forgive me': Boston city councilor pleading guilty over kickback scheme, resigning

Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson is set to plead guilty in her federal corruption case, she confirmed Tuesday, and said she's resigning.

"Please forgive me," she said in a statement in which she apologized to her constituents and supporters. The statement didn't say when she plans to resign — read it below.

Fernandes Anderson had faced calls to step down in light of the five counts of aiding and abetting wire fraud and one of aiding and abetting theft concerning programs receiving federal funds she was initially charged with. She was arrested on suspicion of funneling part of an inflated bonus payment through a relative of hers on her staff into her own pockets during an exchange at a City Hall bathroom.

The 46-year-old, who represents Dorchester, Roxbury, Fenway and parts of the South End, is pleading guilty to a count each of wire fraud and theft involving federal funds, according to a copy of the plea agreement shared by prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney's Office for Massachusetts. Four counts are being dropped.

Prosecutors are recommending that she serve a year and one day in prison, with three years of probation. They also recommended that she pay $13,000 in restitution.

The document shared by prosecutors has her signature, dated Monday, April 7.

Mayor Michelle Wu had urged her to resign, saying in December that the charges she's facing “undermine the public trust and will prevent her from effectively serving the city.”

"It's an incredibly unfortunate situation," Wu said Tuesday. "Residents of District 7 and across the city rightly should have representation, and public officials rightly should be held to a high standard. So I called initially for resignation months ago."

City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune also called for Fernandes Anderson's resignation, citing, in a statement, "the severity of the allegations brought against her, and the direct impact that they have on residents’ ability to see the Boston City Council as their faithful stewards."

Fernandes Anderson returned to work days later, gaveling in a virtual city council hearing on historic racial harms and upholding civil rights in District 7.

The City Council's rules state that violating federal or state law can be unqualifying for a member.

"The council president shall automatically refer a matter to the council upon a felony conviction of any member by any state or federal court. Any action by the council taken in response to any referral shall require a two-thirds (2/3) majority roll call vote and will be in accordance with local, state and federal law," the rule says.

City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson's full statement announcing her resignation:

I have decided to plead guilty and resolve the case brought against me. I would like to apologize to my constituents, supporters, and all who have been impacted.

Please forgive me.

I will be resigning. It is the right thing to do. In coming days, I will evaluate transition plans and timeline with the District 7 Advisory Council. I will do everything possible to make an orderly exit to ensure my constituents’ needs are met.

I will have more to say at the appropriate time in court but I will not be commenting further beyond this statement. I pray that the press will respect my privacy, as well as the privacy of my family.