Should Tania Fernandes Anderson resign? That's what 1,800 readers say.

readers say

Boston City Councilwoman Tania Fernandes Anderson was arrested Friday on federal public corruption charges, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced. After her arrest, Boston.com readers overwhelmingly called for her resignation.

Fernandes Anderson allegedly embezzled $7,000 in kickback money from a relative who worked for her in a restroom at City Hall. According to the unsealed indictment, she was charged with five counts of aiding and abetting wire fraud and one count of aiding and abetting theft from programs receiving federal funds.

Fernandes Anderson — who represents Roxbury, Dorchester, Fenway and a part of the South End — acknowledged reports of the federal investigation but said she has no intention of resigning, Boston.com previously reported. She pleaded not guilty during a transient appearance Friday afternoon in federal court.

However, several city council members and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu have called on the town council to resign in light of the federal allegations.

“Like every member of the community, Councilor Fernandes Anderson has the right to a fair trial,” Wu said in a press release Friday morning. “But the seriousness of these allegations undermines the public’s trust and will prevent them from effectively serving the city.”

Boston.com readers also called for Fernandes Anderson to resign. When we asked readers for his or her thoughts, nearly 1,800 responded. A whopping 94% approved of her resignation, while only 4% opposed such a move.

“Public trust has been breached for the second time, she must go,” said reader Richard from Dorchester.

Fernandes Anderson has faced quite a few legal problems in recent times. In July 2023, she pleaded guilty and agreed to pay a $5,000 civil penalty after, in response to the Massachusetts State Ethics Commission, she violated conflict of interest laws by hiring her sister and son for paid positions on the Boston City Council had set. And in November 2024, Fernandes Anderson received a subpoena for failing to report $32,900 in campaign contributions and for accepting donations that exceeded state limits.

Many District 7 residents responded to our survey expressing extreme disappointment at their demise. Others argued the fees didn’t change their opinion of her and said she was innocent until proven guilty.

Below, readers — a lot of them District 7 voters — share why or why not Boston City Councilwoman Tania Fernandes Anderson should resign.

Should Boston City Councilwoman Tania Fernandes Anderson resign?

Yes

“Tania Fernandes Anderson represents me and my district. I am deeply saddened that she has taken advantage of and abused the trust of voters. I have been disappointed with their behavior in the past (public riots, etc.) but unfortunately I voted for them. Our district and our youth need better representation and role models. Fernandes Anderson has to go. Extremely disappointed!” –

“There is no place for corruption in our government. We must adhere to the highest standards of professional conduct and ethics without exception. Government officials are held to a higher standard of ethics because we trust them to meet our needs. Nepotism is a prime example of corruption. Everyone in the world knows that the relationship between a family member and an employee is fundamentally different and the former would undoubtedly represent a compromise in ethics. We deserve better in the South End. We pay far too much in taxes to accept this type of individual in our government, and we demand better.” –

“She should resign because this is not her first questionable act. She should have resigned after we found out she had hired her sister and son. This happened after she, like all city councilors, attended a mandatory ethics seminar.” –

“Councilwoman Fernandes Anderson has the right to due process and (I pray) she should respect her own right to due process by resigning. In practice, how would she even be able to show up to work at City Hall during all of this? Serving as Councilman for District 7 is not a job where someone can just “call in” and “work from home.” D7 voters and members of the general public as an entire deserve and are entitled to a greater public service.” –

“Because being in office while being charged with official crimes is a conflict of interest, and she needs to focus on her trial so residents can vote on a successor they can trust.” –

“Recognizing that everyone has the right to due process, accused politicians have a responsibility to the public; They resign both for their own benefit and for the benefit of the public. In the event of a discharge, the person is free to have their name back on the ballot. This applies to Anderson as well as to the youngest members of Congress.” –

“It is completely unfair to the struggling people of this community that someone in this position of power would endanger their city. It was just really sad and honestly made me cry. This is a truly major setback, not just for the Commonwealth, but for our community to place trust in the hands of the people who supposedly have our best interests at heart.” –

“Boston doesn’t need this headache. You cannot take the “moral high ground” after which reap the benefits of your position. “We need sensible council members who will work on issues that will actually help everyone in Boston, not someone who will be fighting federal corruption charges for the foreseeable future.” –

“An elected official who steals from her constituents is a major slap in the face to those same constituents. Character unworthy of a Boston city councilman (or anyone who steals from others).” –

NO

“She is entitled to due process. However, she should be immediately suspended from the city council pending further investigation and legal proceedings.” –

“She is not convicted. Resign if you are guilty. Due process and respectful process is critical.” –

“She is clearly being targeted as a woman of color.” –

“No, she shouldn’t resign. It's about massive and persistent poverty in our society. We need to consider the root cause of the problem. “Sometimes good people commit crimes not because they are a bad person, but because of their circumstances: persistent poverty or low socioeconomic class.” –