BELLINGS

The pandemic loan was for a tire shop. Prosecutors say it helped elect a mayor

Lawrence Mayor Brian DePena allegedly routed $90,000 of a $1.5 million small-business loan into his 2021 campaign while paying off property debt and taxes.

Lawrence Mayor Brian DePena allegedly routed $90,000 of a $1.5 million small-business loan into his 2021 campaign while paying off property debt and taxes.

BELLINGS Intelligence Score: 12

Why it matters

This is a routine legal and political issue involving misuse of a small-business pandemic loan, with limited direct impact on credit markets or lending practices.

Sources