By Sam Wroblewski WPRO News Fall River Mayor Will Flanagan denied allegations that he used a handgun to intimidate a city councilor.
Councilman Jasiel Correia claims he felt threatened after Flanagan revealed his firearm during a late-night meeting in a car.
Flanagan told the WPRO Morning News with Gene Valicenti that Correia’s story is false.
“I’m appalled by the city councilor’s statements,” said Flanagan, “I did meet with the city councilor because the city councilor told me he was threatened and bullied by several people in the community who are trying to recall me from office.”
WPRI reports that residents of Fall River have been collecting signatures to recall the Mayor from office; Correia also signed the petition.
Flanagan maintains that he was meeting with Correia to discuss why he signed the petition when the councilman asked if he was carrying a firearm.
“I indicated to him that I was and showed him the firearm that was on my waistband. After that he contacted the police chief and said he was threatened and intimidated by me,” said Flanagan.
The mayor’s story runs counter to Correia’s claim that the mayor placed his firearm on the dashboard of the car.
Flanagan says he is not taking the accusation sitting down and has called for an independent investigation into the incident.
“I’ve contacted the district and asked him to conduct an independent investigation into these accusations to have my name cleared.”
Flanagan believes if an investigation goes forward he will be vindicated.
Listen to Gene Valicenti’s interview with Will Flanagan below:
