Embattled Fall River, Massachusetts, Mayor Jasiel Correia, who was recently ousted in a city council vote in favor of his removal, was not at a hearing Friday in connection to the latest federal charges he faces.
Correia, 27, was arrested again last week after he allegedly conspired to extort hundreds of thousands of dollars from marijuana vendors.
The controversial mayor is facing his second set of federal charges following his first arrest in October of 2018, in which he was accused of misusing more than $200,000 of investment funds.
Friday’s hearing was to ensure Correia is not in contact with the 27 people involved in his latest controversy. He has pleaded not guilty to charges that include extortion, extortion conspiracy, bribery, wire fraud, and aiding and abetting and filing false tax returns.
The defendant’s lawyer, Kevin Reddington, said his client has no plans to step down as mayor, despite an 8-1 vote calling for his removal.
Correia is free on $25,000 bond.
