Judge rules in favor of indicted Massachusetts mayor

Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia speaks with supporters following his second-place finish in the September, 2019 preliminary election. Photo by Steve Klamkin WPRO News

FALL RIVER, Mass. (AP) – The embattled mayor of Fall River, Massachusetts has won a legal battle in his effort to stay in office.

A judge Thursday denied the City Council’s request for an order that would temporarily oust Mayor Jasiel Correia from office.

The council voted last month to remove Correia, who has pleaded not guilty to federal extortion and fraud charges.

The judge ruled the city charter allows the council to remove a mayor who has been convicted of a felony, but not a mayor who has only been charged with one.

Correia told The Herald News he was “glad to see the judge and court ruled in my favor.”

Council Vice President Pam Laliberte-Lebeau called the judge’s decision disappointing.

Correia faces school committee member Paul Coogan in the Nov. 5 general election.

 

More from 630WPRO.COM