BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — The corruption trial of former Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia began with opening statements Monday in Boston’s federal court.
Correia is facing a total of 24 counts in his criminal indictment, including charges of bribery, extortion, and fraud.
He is accused of defrauding investors who backed his start-up app SnoOwl out of more than $200,000, and of forcing his former chief of staff to pay him in kickbacks.
Correia also allegedly collected bribes from companies looking to open marijuana businesses in Fall River. He is also accused of extorting more than $600,000 dollars from four marijuana companies while serving as mayor.
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He has been arrested twice in connection to corruption charges — the first time in October of 2018, and then again in September of 2019. His trial had been delayed for about a year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The former mayor has denied any wrongdoing.
Correia, now 29, was first elected as mayor when he was 23 years old. In the wake of his first arrest, Correia was recalled by voters in March of 2019, only to be re-elected the same night.
However, following his second arrest, he took a leave of absence in October of 2019, and was ousted by voters the following month.
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(Photo: Kim Tunnicliffe/WBZ NewsRadio)