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4 takeaways from the trial of former Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia boston.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from boston.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Shakedowns, $700 high heels, and a middleman playing both sides. With a federal jury slated to hear closing arguments on Monday, here’s a recap of testimony over the past two weeks.
Joe Soares Joe Soares lives in Fall River. A corrupt mayor, a bunch of drug dealers, and millions of dollars in cash up for grabs. What could possibly go wrong? The answer is easy to explain. The legalization of marijuana was bought and paid for by drug dealers of one form or another. They paid for the referendum, and then paid to set up the marijuana regulatory system. This supervisory group are the ones who gave city mayors sole authority to issue “letters of non-opposition." Why would the Legislature set up a licensing system where drug dealers would only have to pay off one dishonest official? The reason only the mayor decides who gets the license is because the dealers wanted one-stop shopping. No need to involve the City Council or the health inspectors.
BOSTON — The prosecution and defense rested in the 24-count federal fraud, extortion and bribery case of Jasiel Correia II on Thursday. Now the fate of the former Fall River mayor will be in the hands of a 14-member jury on Monday after closing arguments from both sides. Correia, 29, did not take the stand, and defense attorney Kevin Reddington only called three witnesses. Jonathan Carreiro, a Swansea technical project manager, said Correia came to him for his expertise to update the SnoOwl app. SnoOwl investors had previously testified that Correia wasn't doing much to develop the app. Sarah Hartry, deputy general counsel for Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance, testified that her office confirmed Correia had no knowledge of the campaign finance violation of Matthew Pichette's wife, Dina. Pichette had testified Wednesday that David Hebert instructed him to pay his bribe by having 25 friends and relatives donate $1,000 each to Correia's campaign.
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.
POLITICO Get the Massachusetts Playbook newsletter Email Sign Up By signing up you agree to receive email newsletters or updates from POLITICO and you agree to our privacy policy and terms of service. You can unsubscribe at any time and you can contact us here. This sign-up form is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Presented by Google GOOD MORNING, MASSACHUSETTS. Happy Cinco de Mayo. MASSGOP HAS GEORGIA ON ITS MIND — What better way to recruit new members to the Massachusetts GOP than by bringing in a nationally known Democrat-turned-Republican for a fundraiser?
At federal corruption trial, marijuana vendor details alleged bribe to former Fall River mayor By Shelley Murphy Globe Staff,Updated May 3, 2021, 7:44 p.m. Email to a Friend Former Fall River mayor Jasiel Correia leaves Moakley Courthouse.Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff In the summer of 2016, the owner of a marijuana company was golfing with two friends of Jasiel F. Correia II when he complained that he had struggled to open a dispensary in Fall River. What did he need to do to win approval? he asked. As testimony in Correiaâs public corruption trial entered its second week, David Brayton told jurors he received his answer days later when one of the friends, Antonio Costa, told him that Correia, then Fall Riverâs mayor, wanted a $250,000 bribe in exchange for a non-opposition letter, a document required for state approval.
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 — Plexiglas, social distancing and masks are the new reality as court systems work to balance public health during a pandemic and the right of the accused to have a timely and fair trial. With former mayor Jasiel Correia II’s trial set to begin on Tuesday, U.S. District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock in a final pretrial conference on Monday gave an overview of new court protocols. Only 26 people will be allowed in Courtroom 1 the John Joseph Moakley United States Courthouse for the duration of the trial. Woodlock said he anticipated the trial could last more than three weeks.