Lawrence mayor refuses to resign despite state and federal charges

Despite battling both state and federal charges, Lawrence Mayor Brian DePeña said Wednesday he has no plans to step down from his post.

“After careful consideration, I want to make clear that I will not be resigning from my position as Mayor of the City of Lawrence,” DePeña wrote in a letter posted to the city’s Facebook page. “I was elected to serve the people of this City, and I intend to continue fulfilling the responsibilities entrusted to me and serving the remainder of my term in office.”

DePeña’s announcement follows growing chatter around Lawrence about a potential recall election to remove him from office in light of his criminal charges.

The two-term Democrat was arrested in August on federal fraud and money laundering charges as prosecutors accused him of using more than $1.5 million in pandemic-era small business loans to bankroll his campaign and cover personal expenses. Specifically, DePeña is accused of applying for Economic Injury Disaster Loans in 2020 and 2021, then misusing funds meant for Tenares Tire Services Inc., a Lawrence business he owned. 

Additional state-level wiretapping charges came last week, with the Attorney General’s Office alleging that DePeña secretly taped two employees at City Hall using private security cameras, then shared the recording. DePeña is also charged with intimidating a witness in the wiretapping case. 

He has pleaded not guilty to the federal charges and will be arraigned in the state case Oct. 13. 

“The federal charges relate to personal matters involving my business activities and conduct that predates my service as Mayor of the City of Lawrence,” said DePeña. “These matters are separate from my responsibilities and duties as Mayor.”

He did not specifically address the state-level wiretapping charges. 

“I respect the judicial process and the principle that every person is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law,” DePeña wrote in his letter. “I am prepared to address these allegations through the proper legal process and to vigorously defend myself against the charges.” 

In the meantime, he continued, “my focus remains on the people of Lawrence and on the work of the City.” 

“I understand that residents, employees, and members of the community may have questions and concerns,” DePeña added. “I ask everyone to allow the judicial process to take its course and to recognize that allegations are not convictions.”

Abby Patkin is a general assignment news reporter whose work touches on public transit, crime, health, and everything in between. She has been covering the Lindsay Clancy murder case since January 2023.