Charles Flaherty (politician)

Charles F. Flaherty (born October 13, 1938, in Boston, Massachusetts) is a former U.S. politician who served as a Democratic member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1967 to 1996. He was the House Majority Leader from 1985 to 1990 and the Speaker of the House from 1991 to 1996.

In 1996, Flaherty agreed to plead guilty to felony tax evasion for submitting false receipts regarding his business expenses. In addition, he also admitted to civil violations of state conflict of interest law for receiving free vacation housing from lobbyists. He stepped down as house Speaker and was fined $50,000.