The Massachusetts Republican Party is calling for a Cape Cod state legislator to resign, following the recent announcement by Barnstable police that the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts is investigating him and his campaign for possible criminal activity.
“Representative Flanagan has repeatedly misled the public and violated campaign finance laws, as documented by OCPF,” MassGOP chairman Amy Carnevale said in a press release from the party, referring to the state Office of Campaign and Political Finance. “His pattern of illegal actions has escalated to the point of federal scrutiny. This is not a partisan issue; it’s about restoring trust in our elected officials. Representative Flanagan must resign immediately to uphold the integrity of the office he holds.”
Flanagan could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
However, Flanagan toldThe Boston Herald the MassGOP was engaging in “political mudslinging.”
“Especially on the eve of Jan. 6, I’m not going to engage in political mudslinging. I’m proud to represent everyone in my district, whether they are Democrats, Republicans, or unaffiliated,” Flanagan said.
“The residents of the 1st Barnstable District deserve a representative with integrity who prioritizes their interests — not someone under active federal investigation,” Crocker said in the press release. “From misleading voters into believing he had Republican support, to campaign finance violations documented by OCPF, and now reports of tens of thousands of dollars allegedly being stolen, it’s clear that the trust has been broken. The jig is up. Flanagan must resign so the people of the 1st Barnstable District can move forward with the honest and ethical representation they deserve.”
Flanagan has been embroiled in two scandals since last year.
His ex-employer, Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Cape Cod has accused him of “potential fraudulent use” of $26,500, according to The Cape Cod Times.
He also sent out phony fliers from an organization called “Conservatives for Dennis” during the 2022 First Barnstable District race, hoping to draw Republican support for his campaign. The Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance found that he lied to the state agency about his involvement with it. The mailers were supposedly sent by a woman named Jeanne Louise, who Flanagan later admitted he made up.
If Flanagan does not resign, the Massachusetts legislature can vote to expel him.
In 2014, the Massachusetts House of Representatives voted 146-5 to expel then-state representative Carlos Henriquez (D-Dorchester), after he received a six-month prison sentence for domestic battery against his ex-girlfriend.
It takes a simple majority to vote to expel a member.
The Massachusetts Republican Party thinks the legislature should take that route, if Flanagan doesn’t resign.
“This time, Lawmakers should not wait until a conviction, as it’s impossible for Flanagan to serve ethically under the cloud of a federal investigation,” the MassGOP said in its release.
If Flanagan resigns, the Massachusetts Republican Party could potentially pick up his seat in a special election.
Before Flanagan won the seat in an open race in 2022, moderate Republican Tim Whelan of Brewster represented the district for eight years.
The First Barnstable District, which Flanagan represents, includes: Brewster, Dennis, and part of Dennis (Precincts 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, and 8).
A spokesman for the office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts could not be immediately reached for comment on Tuesday.
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Screenshot of interview with Cape Media News 
