New Bedford Couple Guilty in $750K Fraud Scheme

BOSTON (WBSM) — A New Bedford couple pleaded guilty to a scheme in which they allegedly defrauded clients of their insurance brokerage.

Brendan Lawler, 58, and Lisa Lawler, 46, pleaded guilty in federal court in Boston on March 25 to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. It is alleged that they defrauded at least 50 individuals or insurance providers and stole more than $750,000 from insurance providers, premium finance companies and hard money lenders.

The Lawlers were arrested on August 27, 2025 after federal activity in New Bedford’s South End drew attention on social media.

How the Insurance Fraud Scheme Worked

According to the charges, the Lawlers ran the scheme through their Fairhaven company BL Insurance Brokerage, LLC from March 2023 through March 2024. They solicited and collected insurance payments from clients, which should have been paid to the insurance providers, but instead the Lawlers kept the money and used it for their own purposes.

“To conceal this theft of client funds and to keep their BL Insurance afloat to perpetuate the scheme, the Lawlers used incoming client funds to pay outstanding balances due to other clients’ insurers,” according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. “The Lawlers also created and distributed certain insurance documents to clients that falsely suggested that the clients were insured.”

Possible Prison Sentence and Penalties

The charge of conspiracy to commit wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000, or twice the gain to the defendant or loss to the victim.

The Lawlers are scheduled to be sentenced on July 22, 2026.

Family Ties to New Bedford Politics

Brendan Lawler is the son of former New Bedford Mayor Brian Lawler, who served from 1983-1985. His grandfather, Francis Lawler, also served as mayor from 1956-1961.

How Potential Victims Can Report Information

Additionally, anyone who thinks they have been a victim in this case or who may have more information is asked to fill out an FBI form to be contacted by a member of law enforcement.

New Bedford Mayors

New Bedford has had 49 different mayors, along with two acting mayors and one interim mayor.

Gallery Credit: Tim Weisberg

The SouthCoast's Most Memorable White-Collar Crimes

On the SouthCoast, it's not always drug dealing or catalytic converter thefts. White-collar crimes like fraud, embezzlement, wage theft, and bribery can cost hundreds of thousands, or even millions, of dollars.

These locals thought they hit the jackpot....until they were caught. Here are some of the biggest or most memorable recent cases of people siphoning money from places they shouldn't.

Gallery Credit: Kate Robinson

Source: New Bedford Couple Pleads Guilty in $750K Insurance Fraud Scheme

Filed Under: Boston