Former Fall River mayor received $75,000 bribe in city car, witness testifies
By Shelley Murphy Globe Staff,Updated May 5, 2021, 2 hours ago
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Former Fall River mayor Jasiel Correia arrived at the Moakley courthouse in Boston on Wednesday.Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff
A federal corruption trial that has focused on payoffs orchestrated through âmiddlemenâ or disguised as campaign contributions took a dramatic twist Wednesday as a local businessman testified that he placed a $75,000 cash bribe directly into the hands of Jasiel F. Correia II, then mayor of Fall River.
Testifying at Correiaâs trial in US District Court in Boston, Charles Saliby, 39, told jurors he had worked at his familyâs Fall River store for years when he arranged a City Hall meeting with Correia in June 2018 about his plan to open a retail marijuana shop next door.
BOSTON The corruption and fraud trial against Jasiel Correia II continued Tuesday, with a focus on allegations that the former Fall River mayor extorted hundreds of thousands of dollars from marjiuana companies. The day was capped by stunning testimony from Hildegar Camara, one of four alleged co-conspirators.
Camara, who said he considered Correia to be like a son, has pleaded guilty to two counts of extortion, two counts of extortion conspiracy, and two counts of making false statements to federal prosecutors twice, on June 17 and 24, in relation to helping Correia solicit bribes from marijuana companies seeking local approval to set up shop in Fall River.
U.S. District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock will be presiding over the proceedings in Courtroom 1.
Correia faces a total of 24 counts, including tax fraud in relation to his app company, SnoOwl, and extortion and bribery charges in relation to an alleged pay-to-play scheme he created with marijuana vendors looking to do business in Fall River. Four days were set aside last week for jury selection, though that still needs to be completed today. Opening statements began today as well.
Dr. David Cabeceiras takes the stand
The prosecution, specifically David Tobin today, is very precise in its questioning. Many documents and time-stamped emails have been presented, and almost each time, witnesses are asked to first testify if the documents are authentic.
BOSTON “Lying, cheating, stealing and shakedowns. That’s what this case is about,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Hafer on the first day of testimony in the Jasiel Correia II trial. “You will hear there was a price to pay in Fall River.
Witness testimony began Monday in the 24-count case of the United States versus Jasiel Correia II, whose fate will be decided by a jury that includes 11 women and three men.
In opening arguments, Hafer came out swinging as he laid out highlights to the jury regarding the case against 29-year-old Correia.
In his opening statement, defense attorney Kevin Reddington called into question “the legitimacy of witness testimony.” Three former associates have taken plea deals in exchange for their cooperation with the federal government for their role in an alleged extortion scheme hatched by the former mayor to take money from marijuana companies looking to do business in Fall River.