The trial of a former Massachusetts mayor facing federal investment fraud and extortion charges has been postponed indefinitely after being delayed twice due to the coronavirus pandemic.
U.S. Federal Court Judge Douglas Woodlock told a pretrial conference over Zoom that trials for former Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia and his former chief of staff and campaign manager, Gen Andrade, could not be scheduled until at least January, The Herald News reported.
Woodlock said criminal trials could resume in September, but the court will prioritize incarcerated defendants over those out on bail.
"I told counsel that I think this is a case that they should not anticipate to go to trial, at the earliest, January and maybe not that," Woodlock said.
Correia has pleaded not guilty to defrauding investors, falsifying tax returns and extorting marijuana businesses, as well as separate federal charges of defrauding investors in a smartphone app he was developing.
Correia originally was scheduled to appear in court in May but was rescheduled to appear Sept. 14.
Andrade requested a separate trial from Correia in January, Woodlock has not ruled on the request.
