A Massachusetts mayor’s trip out of federal court had barely started when his ride ran into another problem.
Lawrence Mayor Brian DePena had just been released from custody after appearing before a federal judge on wire fraud and money laundering charges. He climbed into the passenger seat of his lawyer’s Dodge Challenger, but the car didn’t even make it out of the parking spot before hitting the vehicle directly in front of it.
Reporters from both 7News WHDH Boston and WBZ/CBS News Boston followed DePena outside the courthouse, asking what he had to say about his arrest, whether he planned to resign, and what message he had for voters. His answer was repeatedly “no comment.”
Both news crews were still rolling when his lawyer tried to leave.
Lawyer Hits Parked Car Before Mayor’s Ride Gets Going
Video shared by WBZ/CBS News Boston shows DePena getting into the passenger side of the Challenger as his attorney prepares to pull away. The car moves forward into the parked vehicle directly in front of it. Instead of immediately backing away, the Challenger continues forward, riding up over part of the other car before finally pulling away.
There are probably subtler metaphors for politics than causing some damage on the way out and leaving someone else with the problem, but this particular courthouse departure wasn’t offering much subtlety.
WBZ described the incident as DePena’s attorney rear-ending a parked vehicle while attempting to leave the area. The station also reported that the attorney remarked that he would bring bodyguards with him next time. That prompted one particularly practical suggestion in the comments: “Bring a better driver next time.”
People watching the videos also questioned whether the lawyer stopped long enough to satisfy any legal obligations after the collision. Several called it a “hit and run,” although that characterization came from viewers, and the information provided gave no indication that police cited or charged the attorney with leaving the scene.
Why Was Lawrence Mayor Brian DePena in Federal Court?
The parking lot mishap was the unusual ending to a much more serious day for DePena. Federal prosecutors arrested the 61-year-old Lawrence mayor on Aug. 14 and charged him with one count of wire fraud and one count of money laundering.
The government alleges he fraudulently obtained more than $1.5 million in COVID-era Economic Injury Disaster Loans for Tenares Tire Services Inc., a tire sales and automotive business he owns in Lawrence. According to the federal complaint, DePena initially received a $150,000 loan in 2020 and used most of it as working capital. Prosecutors allege his use of the money changed after he obtained increases that eventually brought the total loan to more than $1.65 million.
Investigators allege DePena used $85,000 to pay personal federal taxes, directed more than $130,000 to his mayoral campaign, and used $883,293 to pay off high-interest loans tied to properties he owned.
The complaint also alleges that while waiting for one of the loan increases, DePena repeatedly contacted his accountant and financial adviser. “Brother, call me, I’m in trouble,” he allegedly wrote in one message translated from Spanish. “I don’t want to pressure you, but I don’t have time to wait for this loan. I’m in your hands.”
As of Aug. 5, 2026, prosecutors say the outstanding principal on the EIDL was approximately $1.65 million. DePena was elected mayor of Lawrence in 2021 and reelected in 2025.
People Had Plenty to Say About the Courthouse Exit
The federal charges generated plenty of discussion, but plenty of people watching the courthouse videos couldn’t get past the Challenger’s attempt to leave the parking spot. “Oops, that wasn’t reverse,” one person joked, while another summed up the scene with, “You would think this is a comedy. It’s just Massachusetts.” Someone else compared it to a video game, writing, “The whole thing is like something out of GTA.”
The fact that the car left after the collision became an even bigger topic in the comments. Several people called it a “hit and run,” though that characterization came from viewers, not law enforcement. “What did he do? Leave a note in the car?” one commenter asked. Another wrote, “Imagine an attorney leaving the scene after hitting another car.”
Viewers on the WBZ post had their own observations. “Can you imagine if the airbags went off!” one person wrote. Others claimed to spot an expired inspection sticker and what appeared to be a parking ticket on the Challenger’s windshield, while another commenter bundled the whole scene together and compared it to a “South Park skit.”
Whatever comes of the parking lot collision, it made for a memorable ending to DePena’s first federal court appearance.
The charges against DePena are allegations. He is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.