Photo: Kim Tunnicliffe/WBZ NewsRadio
FALL RIVER, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) - Federal prosecutors are seeking an eleven-year prison term for former Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia. Correia was convicted in May on felony fraud and corruption charges, and is due to be sentenced on September 20th.
Prosecutors also filed new court documents calling for the former political upstart to pay nearly $300,000 in restitution to investors of his startup company SnoOwl, money he used to bankroll an expensive lifestyle. They also want Correia to pay more than $20,000 to the IRS and forfeit more than $550,000.
Correia was convicted of 21 counts in total, and he has appealed, maintaining his innocence.
The 29-year old is accused of defrauding investors, forcing his former staff to pay him in kickbacks, and bribing companies seeking to open marijuana businesses in the city. He was arrested in October 2018, and again in October 2019, recalled, re-elected, and then finally ousted by voters.
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Written by Madison Rogers