Boston City Official Reuben Taylor to Plead Guilty to Wire Fraud, Prosecutors Say

Reuben Taylor, a longtime Boston city official serving as the director of municipal protective services, agreed to plead guilty to a sole count of wire fraud in connection with a Paycheck Protection Program loan, federal prosecutors announced. U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley’s office stated that Taylor submitted a $20,844 loan application in 2021, falsely claiming he worked as an auto mechanic in 2019. The Small Business Administration forgave the loan in September 2021, effectively converting it into a taxpayer-funded grant after Taylor claimed he used the proceeds for payroll at his purported auto mechanic business.

Prosecutors Seek Probation and Restitution for Reuben Taylor

Court filings show that federal prosecutors will seek a sentence of one year of probation and nearly $21,000 in restitution, with no time behind bars. City payroll records indicate that Taylor’s gross earnings totaled $157,022 last year, a figure that included $39,041 in overtime. Taylor has worked since 2008 within the Municipal Protective Services division, which operates as a security unit inside the city’s property management department. Legal representation for Taylor did not immediately respond to requests for comment sent via email by reporters.

Pandemic Fraud Arrest of Massachusetts State Representative Francisco Paulino

Separately, Massachusetts State Rep. Francisco Paulino was arrested and indicted on multiple counts of wire fraud and money laundering related to pandemic relief funds. U.S. Attorney Leah Foley announced the 11-count indictment against Paulino, 46, who represents the 16th Essex District covering Lawrence and Methuen. Federal officials allege that Paulino executed a scheme starting in April 2020 to fraudulently secure approximately $700,000 in relief funds by using personal identifying information of other individuals, including an unwitting 77-year-old relative to collect over $44,000 in pandemic unemployment assistance benefits. Paulino operated Madison Tax, LLC and Madison Mortgage Inc. in Lawrence, and prosecutors allege he funneled funds through his businesses, used money for real estate expenses and campaign contributions, and lent relief money to other individuals at higher interest rates.

Arraignment Conditions and Separate Municipal Investigation in Lawrence

During his arraignment at the federal John Joseph Moakley Courthouse, Paulino pleaded not guilty to all charges. Judge David Hennessy and federal prosecutors imposed release conditions requiring Paulino to suspend operations at Madison Tax, restrict his travel to Massachusetts and New Hampshire without court permission, surrender his passport, and maintain his current address. House Speaker Ron Mariano called the charges extremely concerning, stating that the House would monitor legal proceedings and take appropriate action if necessary. Prosecutors also confirmed a separate grand jury indictment unsealed charging Lawrence Mayor Brian DePeña with COVID relief fraud involving over $1.5 million. U.S. Attorney Foley stated that the investigations into Paulino and DePeña are separate and not connected.