Massachusetts State Representative Francisco Paulino of Methuen faces federal charges following his detention for pandemic benefit fraud. A federal indictment charges Paulino of the improper use of COVID-19 funds. The state representative is also facing charges of money laundering connected with the relief program money.
Paulino was taken into custody after an indictment was returned on federal counts. The indictment against Representative Paulino details the unlawful use of COVID-19 relief funds and money laundering. He faces these federal charges for actions related to aid fraud and relief money.