Healey calls charges against Democrat Methuen Rep. Francisco Paulino ‘very disturbing’

By Ella Adams

Gov. Maura Healey hasn’t seen all of the charges against Methuen Rep. Francisco Paulino following his arrest, indictment and arraignment last week, but on Monday called what she does know “very disturbing.”

Paulino last week pleaded not guilty to eight counts of wire fraud and three counts of unlawful monetary transactions in connection with an alleged scheme that included fraudulently obtaining hundreds of thousands of dollars in pandemic-related relief funds. He allegedly used funds “for his own personal use including real estate expenses, loan payments and transfers to his campaign account,” U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts Leah Foley said last week. 

Asked to comment on the charges against Paulino on Monday morning, Healey said, “I haven’t seen them all, but obviously, what I’ve learned is very disturbing, and the people of Lawrence need to have trust in their elected officials.”

Paulino’s district includes parts of Lawrence and Methuen. He is the second public official representing the area to face COVID benefits fraud allegations this month, following the arrest and indictment of Lawrence Mayor Brian DePeña. He is also the second state representative to be indicted this session, following Dennis Rep. Chris Flanagan in April 2025.

“Obviously, the matter is under investigation. So we’ll see where it goes from here,” Healey told reporters after she attended an International Overdose Awareness Day event on Boston Common. 

Paulino is due back in court on Oct. 7. On Tuesday, he faces Democrat Celina Reyes of Lawrence in the primary for the 16th Essex District seat he holds.