Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and at least five city council members are calling for the resignation of Councilwoman Tania Fernandes Anderson after she was charged by federal authorities on Friday.

Council Chairman Ruthzee Louijeune and city councilors Erin Murphy, Ed Flynn, Sharon Durkan and Gabriela Coletta Zapata issued statements calling on Fernandes Anderson to resign her seat on the council after federal authorities arrested Fernandes Anderson that she paid an employee a bonus of $13,000 and received $7,000 in cash in return.

“Like every member of the community, Councilor Fernandes Anderson has the right to a fair trial,” Wu said in a statement Friday morning. “But the seriousness of these allegations undermines the public’s trust and will prevent them from effectively serving the city.”

Murphy followed shortly after, calling the allegations “deeply disturbing” and saying the residents of District 7 “deserve better.”

“Elected officials are charged with representing the public honestly and ethically and must not abuse their power for personal gain,” Murphy wrote. “Actions like these undermine public trust and perpetuate the harmful belief that our City Council is unworthy of the trust of those we serve.”

Flynn also called for the resignation of Fernandes Anderson while announcing he would file a hearing to examine the idea of ​​setting up a council ethics committee.

“This is unfortunately the result of a series of legal and ethical lapses by members of the Boston City Council in recent years that have both reflected poorly on the city and prevented us from caring about the people’s business,” said Flynn in a statement. “It is critical that elected officials appointed to positions of public trust work to provide positive and ethical leadership.”

Louijeune too released a statement saying it believed Fernandes Anderson’s resignation would allow “legal recourse without undue disruption” to the council.

“Councilman Fernandes Anderson has every right to due process in court,” Louijeune wrote. “Given the seriousness of the allegations against her and the direct impact they have on residents’ ability to view the Boston City Council as their faithful stewards, it is in the best interest of the body that she resign.”

Durkan also weighed in and called for the resignation of Fernandes Anderson.

“Public service is a privilege,” Durkan wrote. “The people of Boston deserve leaders who act transparently, ethically and in the best interests of the community. The allegations against Councilor Fernandes Anderson undermine the trust of residents and damage the reputation of our council.”

Durkan also encouraged residents of East Fenway, part of which is part of Fernandes Anderson’s district, to contact Durkan’s office if they have questions for the council.

Coletta Zapata echoed her colleagues’ concerns, expressing concern about “the seriousness of the allegations” and the impact on public trust.

“Given the seriousness of these allegations, it is clear that she can no longer effectively fulfill her role on the City Council,” Coletta Zapata wrote. “I call on her to resign so that the legal process can continue without further damage to the credibility and integrity of the body we serve.”

Niki Griswold can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her @nikigriswold.