The Lawrence City Council voted Tuesday to express no confidence in Mayor Brian Depeña amid his ongoing legal challenges, marking a significant step in local government amid controversy. The resolution passed with five votes in favor, narrowly meeting the threshold required, while one councilor opposed and three abstained by voting “present.”
The council’s vote carries symbolic weight, as it does not have the power to remove Depeña from office. However, it may increase pressure on the mayor amid his criminal charges. Depeña, 61, maintains his intention to remain in his position despite facing multiple state and federal allegations.
The resolution was introduced by Council President Jeovanny Rodriguez, Vice President Ana Levy, and Councilor Stephany Infante during an Oct. 6 meeting, but it initially failed to secure the six votes needed for an immediate vote. Instead, it was referred to a special committee. On Oct. 13, the full council, sitting as the Committee of the Whole, voted 5-2 to recommend the no-confidence resolution be brought before the full council, which voted Tuesday to approve it.
Councilor Marc Laplante opposed the resolution and reiterated his support for a voter-driven recall effort, stating that residents should decide the mayor’s fate at the ballot box. “I believe the voters of Lawrence deserve the opportunity to make that decision for themselves,” Laplante said.
Public response at Tuesday’s meeting was limited, with only two residents addressing the council. This was a marked contrast from two weeks earlier when the chamber was filled with constituents urging a vote. Resident Rich Russell described the no-confidence vote as largely symbolic and urged the council to allow ongoing legal proceedings to run their course. Fabian Rojas called on council members to vote as a way to clarify their stance to the community, emphasizing the importance of leadership and trust.
The resolution cites the mayor’s responsibility to lead the city and maintain public trust, arguing that the serious charges against him undermine that mission and distract from his duties.
Depeña, a Democrat first elected in 2021 and re-elected last year, faces 26 charges spread across state and federal cases. In August, federal prosecutors charged him with fraud related to allegedly securing $1.6 million in pandemic relief funds illegally. He pleaded not guilty in U.S. District Court in Boston.
Subsequently, state authorities filed additional charges concerning unauthorized wiretapping. Prosecutors allege Depeña installed private security cameras in his City Hall office that recorded both video and audio without public notification, while official cameras only captured video. Documents claim he secretly recorded two city employees, circulated the recordings, and intimidated a witness linked to the case. Depeña has also pleaded not guilty to the state charges in Essex Superior Court.