BOSTON (AP) – A Massachusetts mayor already accused of stealing investor funds to bankroll a lavish lifestyle is defending himself from new charges that he extorted hundreds of thousands of dollars from marijuana companies.

Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia said outside Boston federal court Friday that he’s “done nothing but good” for his city and will continue to “do great things.”

His lawyer, Kevin Reddington, suggested the arrest was politically motivated. Correia is running in the mayoral primary Sept. 17.

Correia pleaded not guilty Friday to charges of bribery, extortion, wire fraud and filing false tax returns. He was ordered to post $25,000 of a $250,000 bond and his travel was restricted to Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Federal authorities say at least four business owners paid a total of $600,000 in bribes to Correia in exchange for official letters needed to set up a marijuana business.