On October 13, 2026, Lawrence mayor Brian DePeña was arraigned in Essex Superior Court on 26 criminal charges, including 14 counts of wiretapping and one count of witness intimidation. He pleaded not guilty and was released on personal recognizance.
The Lawrence City Council has scheduled a no‑confidence vote and initiated a recall effort, citing the mayor’s criminal case and concerns about the city’s reputation and his ability to govern. The mayor has stated he will not resign.
The mayor is already under state and federal indictment, and local officials are now considering formal actions to remove him from office.