Nangle letters reveal depth of convicted ex-representative’s support network

LOWELL — Of the 27 letters written in support of former state Rep. David Nangle urging leniency in his prison term, one immediately stood out upon review of the attachments to the defendant’s sentencing memorandum.

Tucked in between all of the neatly typed and formatted letters — some of which were on official letterhead from their senders — was a handwritten note from a Lowell official.

The letter, written by Beverly Anthes, a member of the Election Commission, was also signed by her husband, George Anthes.

“Dave Nangle has been our next door neighbor here in Lowell for several years,” Beverly Anthes wrote. “We find him to be a decent, honorable, kind, trustworthy gentleman and always ready to help us in storms and during the pandemic. We value his friendship.”

After briefly mentioning that they are sometimes “jealous” of how Nangle landscapes his property, Anthes went on to write that, in a time of discussing reforms to the criminal justice system, she and her husband “believe Dave is the last person who deserves jail.”

Nangle, who represented the 17th Middlesex District for 11 terms until he was unseated by Vanna Howard in last year’s Democratic primary, was indicted in February 2020 on 28 federal corruption charges.

On Feb. 24 this year, he pleaded guilty to 10 counts of wire fraud, four counts of bank fraud, four counts of making false statements to a bank and five counts of filing false tax returns. His original charges included an additional five counts of making false statements to a bank, but the charges were consolidated as part of a plea agreement.

Last Wednesday, U.S. District Court Judge Rya Zobel sentenced Nangle to 15 months in prison, followed by two years of supervised release, and ordered him to pay $33,347 in restitution to the IRS and a $15,650 forfeiture. Nangle is to report to the federal Bureau of Prisons Nov. 1 to begin his sentence.

At the Sept. 15 sentencing in Boston, Zobel said she understood Nangle’s gambling addiction was at the heart of his illegal acts and that the 27 letters in support of Nangle persuaded her that he was a kind and caring man who had done good things for people in the community.

“But he did violate our collective norms, and that impacts all of us,” Zobel said. “The sentence should be based on his illegal conduct, not just his goodness and helpfulness to other people.”

The letters from Nangle’s family, friends and former constituents may not have saved him from jail time, but they provided a window into his support network, which has stayed strong despite his criminal activity.

First cousin Ann O’Connor — a local lawyer and member of the Middlesex Community College board of trustees — was one of many family members who wrote on Nangle’s behalf.

O’Connor wrote of how Nangle has been there for both family and strangers, from bringing her husband to Boston for his cancer treatments to functionally being “like an Uber” to help many people with different needs without expecting anything in return. She said his good deeds had not stopped despite the serious charges he faced.

“We are from a family of public servants, and instilled in us is helping others,” O’Connor wrote. “David exemplifies that.”

She said that with his strong support network and determination, she was convinced he would beat his addiction and “come through it as a better person.”

Even Nangle’s ex-wife — whom he blamed for his bad credit when fraudulently applying for loans from a Lowell bank — wrote on his behalf.

Debra Nangle wrote that David Nangle is “a devoted generous man and a very good father,” and that they remained close even after their divorce. She also noted his devotion to his constituents, including bringing people to doctor appointments.

“David is a kind man and always felt compassion for anyone in need. That’s the type of man my former husband is,” Debra Nangle wrote. “Just like any American family; we have had some up’s and down’s and have been able to work through our issues together as a family.”

Another notable letter was that from Chelmsford’s Theodore Panagiotopoulos — also known as WCAP radio personality Teddy Panos — who praised Nangle for his “personal and political sacrifice” in bucking state Democratic Party leadership and supporting Republican Gov. Charlie Baker when he first ran for office in 2014. Panos said he believed Nangle’s relationship with the Baker administration was what kickstarted the previously stalled Lowell Justice Center project and directly contributed to securing state grants that ensured the survival of the Megan House Foundation, for which Panos is a board member and director of development and communications.

He called Nangle “an important part” of the organization’s success in helping young women recover from addiction.

“Operating a home and comprehensive treatment program for young women in recovery is an expensive undertaking, requiring a budget of more than a million dollars,” Panos wrote. “Through the generous support of many, including David, the Megan House Foundation was able to open the doors to a state-of-the-art facility in September of 2015. However, had we not been the beneficiaries of a state grant in the Spring of 2017, it is my belief the doors to Megan’s House would no longer be open.”

Many of the letters came from people whose children Nangle had helped get into various programs, including educational and vocational training and special-needs residential placements.

One such example was from David and Donna Desmond of Lowell, who wrote that Nangle was a constant help over the years for one of their children, who was diagnosed at a very young age with severe autism and developmental problems. They wrote of Nangle’s years of advocacy for their son, assisting with securing him specialized education and residential programs that have contributed to his success now as an adult and their peace of mind.

“We acknowledge that Dave’s actions were wrong and inappropriate for someone that was in his position, but his compassion toward us as a family does not come from the heart of a criminal,” the Desmonds wrote. “Dave’s troubles stem from a sickness, an addiction, a compulsion that was and is beyond his control. His crimes were not directed at others or meant to do harm to others; in fact, the biggest victim of David’s transgressions is David himself.”