Fall River Mayor pleads not guilty to fraud charges
By: Amanda Pitts
Email: apitts@abc6.com
Twitter: @APITTSABC6
Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia plead not guilty in federal court Thursday on over ten counts of fraud, after he was arrested following a year and a half long investigation by the FBI.
In a press conference Thursday morning, the US Attorney’s Office said Correia ran a multi-year investment scam, defrauding seven investors with his start-up app for local businesses called “SnoOwl”.
Correia allegedly got them to invest over $350,000 into the app, and used over $200,000 of that money to pay for his lavish lifestyle.
“Mayor Correia has brought undeserved shame and embarrassment upon the city of Fall River.”
He was charged with nine counts of wire fraud and four counts of tax fraud.
“Correia used investor money to fund personal travel and entertainment, spending thousands of dollars on airfare, luxury hotels, restaurants, casinos, dating services, and adult entertainment,” said Andy Lelling of the US Attorney’s Office.
The indictment says Correia also spent around $10,000 to pay off his student loans from Providence College, made charitable donations in his name, and even funded his political campaign.
“Obviously every one of us is expected to follow the law, but this is especially so for those who ask for the support of a particular community so that he can lead and represent it. Taxpayers expect and deserve more from their elected officials.”
He allegedly told investors the app was doing well, but never showed proof, and omitted the income on his taxes.
“We allege this was intentional fraud. We allege that he knew exactly what he was doing.”
Correia denied the allegations while leaving court.
“I’ve done nothing wrong. If you look at my track record as Mayor, all you see is positive results. I love the city of Fall River, I’m gonna go back to my office tonight, and get back to serving the people of Fall River.”
The judge ordered Correia have no contact with the witnesses in the case, and released him on $10,000 bond.
He’s due back in court December 6.
©WLNE-TV / ABC6 2018
