Judge postpones next hearing in state rep’s criminal case

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A federal judge on June 23 postponed a June 25 status conference in the case of indicted Rep. Christopher Flanagan while the discovery process continues.

An attorney for Flanagan and prosecutors on June 20 had filed a joint motion asking the judge to cancel the interim status conference and instead hold it in “approximately 60 days,” which would be late August.

Prosecutors in U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley’s office said they were “continuing to review and produce discovery, including substantial electronic discovery.” Flanagan’s attorney, Greg Henning, is reviewing those materials.

Magistrate Judge Donald L. Cabell agreed to cancel the hearing and scheduled a new meeting for July 23, earlier than attorneys for both parties initially sought.

Flanagan, a Dennis Democrat, was arrested April 11 and pleaded not guilty to wire fraud and falsification of records charges. Foley’s office alleges he defrauded his former employer, the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Cape Cod, and used tens of thousands of the association’s dollars for personal and campaign expenses.

Some elected officials including Gov. Maura T. Healey called for Flanagan to resign, but top House Democrats said they believed such a move would be “premature.” The House Committee on Ethics plans to conduct its own investigation after the federal legal process concludes.

Flanagan did not cast a vote on the House’s annual budget bill in late April, but has since participated in several major roll calls, including on a House-approved bill overhauling the recreational cannabis industry and its regulatory overseers.