Former City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson was sentenced to one month in federal prison, three years of supervised release, and $13,000 in restitution on Friday, after pleading guilty to corruption charges in May.

Anderson was indicted last December on seven counts of wire fraud for pocketing $7,000 in a kickback scheme with a former staffer. In 2022, she was issued a $5,000 civil penalty by the Ethics Commission for failing to disclose her familial relationship with two staffers she had hired. Facing additional personal financial difficulties, Anderson instructed another salaried City Hall employee, who was not an immediate family member, that she would offer them a large bonus in exchange for returning a portion of the funds to her.

The staff member would receive a $13,000 bonus, more than double that offered to the rest of Anderson’s staff, on May 26, 2023. On June 9, the staff member would give Anderson her portion of the cash in the City Hall bathroom.

“Today’s sentence holds [Anderson] accountable for flagrantly embracing a culture of fraud and deceit and brazenly pocketing taxpayer money inside a City Hall bathroom to feather her nest,” said Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division.”

“Tania Fernandes Anderson was elected to serve her constituents, but instead, she deliberately used her elected position as a Boston City Councilor to serve herself,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “From Boston’s City Hall to the Massachusetts State House, to local and state public officials, this office will continue to aggressively root out and expose public corruption. Massachusetts taxpayers deserve an honest government and accountability.”

Several of Anderson’s City Council colleagues wrote letters to Judge India Talwani requesting a more lenient sentence than the 12 months proposed by federal prosecutors.

“While Tanya has undoubtedly fallen short in our expectations of a public servant, she has also demonstrated a heartfelt commitment to effectively serve the most vulnerable populations in our city,” wrote District 9 Councilor Liz Breadon. “I respectfully ask that you consider placing Ms. Fernandez Anderson on home confinement. This would enable her to continue to support her family and to receive their support as well.”

Councilor At-Large Julia Mejia said it was crucial to consider Anderson’s commitment to service and advocacy in determining her sentence. “…Given this is her 1st offense, I hope that her positive contributions will be weighed as you determine her fate.”

Following her sentencing, Anderson criticized the media for inaccurate reporting on her case and called for more accurate and responsible reporting on marginalized identities. 

“Can you please, for the love of God, stop talking about me? Just let the story go. It happened. I took responsibility. I am off now, my Uber is here.”

She responded to her prison time by saying, “Everything happens for a reason,” before departing.