No decision by FR City Council on Mayor Correia’s fate

FALL RIVER, Mass. (WLNE) — In a special meeting of the Fall River City Council Tuesday night, some councilors pushed to have Mayor Jasiel Correia stripped of his duties, in light of federal fraud charges against him.

“I move that the fall river city council determine that jasiel Correia is unable to perform the duties of the office of mayor,” said Councilor Shawn Cadime.

That motion went nowhere due to objections. It’ll be back on the agenda next week.

But Council President Cliff Ponte, who would become acting mayor if Correia is relieved, says the damage to the city is already happening.

“The amount of press and pressure that has been given to me and all the city councilors has put our economic development on hold,” said Ponte.

Earlier Tuesday, Mayor Correia did not back down, instead doubling down on his claim that he’s innocent, and that the whole investigation is a political hit job.

“This from day one began as a political attack on somebody that was challenging the norms here in Fall River,” said Correia.

Correia defended his app Sno-Owl, which the federal investigation centers around.

“Was the app real? I think so. I know so,” said Correia.

Councilors and residents at Tuesday night’s meeting were not thrilled by the Mayor’s words. “Nobody cares that you had like this terrible app that we’ve been making fun of for several years. It’s the fact that he stole most of the money,” said Fall River resident Jordan Sylvia.”The mayor invited all employees essentially to a Sno-Owl indictment infomercial,” said City Council Vice President Pam Laliberte-Lebeau. “I don’t think there’s anybody, with this hanging over their head, that would be in their right mental state of mind.”Others say the council shouldn’t rush to judgment.

“It’s just bordering on a gut reaction to a response that needs deliberation,” said councilor Steve Camara.

The City Council cannot actually fire the mayor, but it can relieve him of his essential duties, though it’s not clear if that would hold up legally.

Residents could also vote to recall Mayor Correia, which some are already vowing to do.

Several councilors reiterated their calls for Correia to resign. Correia repeated Tuesday that he has no plans to step down.

© WLNE-TV / ABC6 2018