Lawrence Mayor Brian DePena, 61, was charged with wire fraud and money laundering for allegedly using $1.,5 million in COVID loans for small businesses to fund his campaign, pay personal taxes and pay off other loans. DePena applied for pandemic relief loans in 2020 and 2021 to support Tenares Tire Services, an auto shop he owned in Lawrence. Photo courtesy of U.S. Attorney’s Office in Massachusetts
Aug. 14 (UPI) — A Massachusetts mayor was arrested Friday on charges of fraudulently obtaining more than $1.5 million in COVID loans for small businesses, federal prosecutors said.
Lawrence Mayor Brian DePena, 61, was charged with wire fraud and money laundering for allegedly using the loans to fund his campaign, pay personal taxes and pay off other loans.
DePena applied for pandemic relief loans in 2020 and 2021 to support Tenares Tire Services, an auto shop he owned in Lawrence.
Prosecutors say he used nearly $900,000 of the loans to pay off mortgages, $85,000 for personal tax debts and at least $130,000 to fund his campaign.
“This was emergency financial assistance meant to be a safety net for struggling businesses, not Mr. Depena’s own personal ATM,” said Ted Docks, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Boston office, in a statement.
DePena was first elected mayor of Lawrence in 2021 and was reelected last November.
If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison for each charge.
“Mayor DePena was elected to be a leader for the City of Lawrence,” U.S. Attorney Leah Foley said in a statement. “He was looked up to and trusted by his constituents, but he betrayed that trust through his alleged corruption and lies,”
Dua Lipa and Callum Turner have said I Do in an extravagant Italian ceremony in front of family and friendsMusic icon Elton John serenaded Dua and Callum with a live rendition of his hit Your SongCredit: AFP
Dua, 30, and Callum, 36, said ‘I Do’ to one another in an outdoor ceremony adorned with high trees at the magnificent 18th century Villa Valguarnera with A-list pals Charli XCX, Mark Ronson and Tame Impala in attendance.
The Sun can exclusively reveal that bride Dua, 30, walked down the aisle with a bridal bouquet made up of lily-of-the-valley, peonies and hyacinths from a local florist.
Amid the vow renewal, music legend Elton John serenaded the couple with a rendition of his smash hit ‘Your Song’ in an incredibly emotional and touching moment.
The special performance prompted tears all round as the 79-year-old belted out the classic love song for his beloved pal and her new husband.
Elton and Dua have been friends for years and previously collaborated on 2021 song Cold Heart (remix) togetherCredit: GettyThe happy couple said their vows in an outdoor ceremony at Villa Valguarnera, in BagheriaCredit: instagramWedding guests have shared glimpses of the special day including these keepsakes, which has Dua and Callum’s initials embroidered onCredit: instagram/lauravandallA-lists guests including Charli XCX, Mark Ronson and Tame Impala are in attendance at the lavish nuptialsCredit: Instagram
Elton, 79, and the Be The One singer have a firm friendship with the two previously collaborating on single Cold Heart back in 2021, a remix of his iconic song Rocket Man (1972).
The ceremony kicked off at 5pm and lasted for around an hour with guests arriving from 3:30pm in a whopping 60 minivans.
The bride and groom turned up in a luxury Mercedes Maybach Class V at 3pm prompt to greet their guests ahead of the nuptials.
Post-ceremony, a posh dinner is expected to be laid on by a two Michelin star chef from Rome, and speeches, before the celebrities dance the night away with a party set to go well into the early hours.
The evening is split into three moments: ceremony in the courtyard, a dinner, followed by an outdoor DJ set by four prominent names on the international music scene.
A huge amp system has been set up in anticipation, with diffusers positioned towards the estate and the villa park to limit sound waves travelling into the Bagheria town
Dua’s wedding dress – a well-kept secret – is rumoured to have been designed by Donatella Versace, who attended a pre-wedding drinks reception last night as she and Callum kicked off their celebrations.
They shut down two city centre squares in Palermo as famous music pals gathered to celebrate the couple.
Dua stunned in a white, backless Bottega Veneta dress and also had a £2580 Bottega Anidamo leather clutch bag and Bulgari jewels – including a classic £185,000 Manchette watch.
Dua and Callum kicked off their wedding weekend with a pre-party in the villa’s courtyardCredit: Nick EdwardsThe two shared a kiss as they partied with palsCredit: BackGrid
She was seen dancing to Le Freak and Kylie Minogue’s Spinning Around.
Waiters later bought out Margarita pizza for guests on silver trays.
A ring of steel was put around the Piazza Sant’Anna and Piazza Croce dei Vespri with police and private security blocking off access to the public.
The Sun revealed that Dua paid £5,000 to residents who live around the Piaza Croce dei Vespri, where the party was held, to thank them.
But she faced a battle against some protestors who stuck up posters in nearby streets accusing the singer of making their public space a “living room for the rich”, insisting: “Palermo is not for rent.”
Dua and Callum are staying in a £6,000 a night suite at the five-star Villa Igiea.
Their Donna Franca suite has stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea and is described as the hotel’s crowning jewel.
