By Ella Adams
Methuen Rep. Francisco Paulino was arraigned in federal court Wednesday afternoon, where he pleaded not guilty to all 11 counts brought against him for pandemic benefit fraud.
Paulino faces eight counts of wire fraud and three counts of unlawful monetary transactions. He was indicted Tuesday by a grand jury, arrested Wednesday morning in Lawrence and arraigned Wednesday afternoon at Moakley Courthouse in Boston.
A federal public defender stood beside Paulino in court Wednesday, Judge David Hennessy notes, since the second-term Democrat’s counsel is based in Washington, D.C. The defense attorney listed on Paulino’s indictment could not immediately be reached Wednesday and did not respond to a request for comment.
Hennessy presided, but said that it would be “Cabell’s case,” referencing U.S. Magistrate Judge Donald Cabell.
Paulino is due back in court Oct. 7. He faces Democrat Celina Reyes of Lawrence in the Sept. 1 primary for the 16th Essex District seat he holds.
Some conditions of Paulino’s release include that he only travel within Massachusetts and New Hampshire and get permission to travel anywhere else; he cannot change his address; he surrender his passport, which Hennessy confirmed was already seized; and his remaining business, Madison Tax, temporarily suspend operations and that his clients be notified of the suspension.
U.S. attorneys Kristina Barclay and Christine Wichers requested conditions include that Paulino have no access to client accounts or records. Paulino’s counsel agreed.
To every count read by the judge, Paulino replied, “Not guilty.”
Paulino exited the front doors of the Moakley Courthouse at about 2:47 p.m., and was met by members of the press. He walked to a nearby parking garage and did not reply to any questions from reporters as he walked.