Dean A. Tran, Wire Fraud, Massachusetts 2024

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Former State Senator Convicted of COVID and Tax Fraud

BOSTON, MA – In a shocking turn of events, former Massachusetts State Senator Dean A. Tran, 48, has been convicted of COVID and tax fraud, leaving many questioning the integrity of public officials in the state.

According to evidence presented during a six-day trial, Tran defrauded the Massachusetts Department of Unemployment Assistance and collected income that he failed to report to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The defendant was convicted of 20 counts of wire fraud and three counts of filing false tax returns.

As an elected member of the Massachusetts State Senate, representing Worcester and Middlesex Counties from 2017 to January 2021, Tran’s actions are a stark reminder that public officials are not above the law. The defendant’s scheme involved fraudulently receiving pandemic unemployment benefits while employed as a paid consultant for a New Hampshire-based retailer of automotive parts, Automotive Parts Company.

Tran’s crimes did not stop there. He also concealed $54,700 in consulting income from his 2021 federal income tax return and thousands of dollars in income from renting out his Fitchburg property from 2020 to 2022. The total amount of money Tran stole from the government is estimated to be around $84,820.

“Dean Tran defrauded the government out of unemployment benefits he had no right to receive. His fraud and calculated deception diverted money away from those who were struggling to get by during a very difficult time,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy. “Our office and our law enforcement partners are committed to holding accountable public officials who lie and steal for personal gain.”

Tran’s sentencing is scheduled for December 4, 2024. He faces up to 20 years in prison for the wire fraud charges and up to three years in prison for the filing of false tax returns. The conviction is a significant blow to Tran’s reputation and a reminder that public officials will be held accountable for their actions.

The case highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in public office. It also serves as a warning to those who would seek to exploit the system for personal gain. As the investigation continues, it remains to be seen what other secrets will be uncovered.

The conviction of Dean A. Tran is a testament to the hard work and dedication of law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.