NEW: Fall River Mayor Correia Taking Leave of Absence, Suspending Reelection Campaign

NEW: Fall River Mayor Correia Taking Leave of Absence, Suspending Reelection Campaign

Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia is taking a leave of absence from office and suspending his reelection campaign in order to fight federal charges of bribery, extortion and tax evasion.

Correia made the announcement at the new B.M.C. Durfee High School, where he said he “left the community better than he found it.”

“We were in a city in rapid decline — but now we’re a city of revitalization and hope,” said Correia.  “Today we have a favorable financial outlook.”

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Correia spent more than ten minutes touting his accomplishments in office -- but did not take any questions pertaining to his legal issues. 

"The City of Fall River is on the rise," said Correia. 

Correia’s Legal Trouble

As GoLocalProv reported back in September, Correia was arrested for allegedly extorting marijuana vendors for cash, according to the Massachusetts U.S. Attorney’s office.

Those charges came just over a year after Correia was arrested and charged with defrauding investors.

According to the U.S. Attorney's office, Correia used the “funds to pay for lavish lifestyle and political campaign.”

His trial for those charges will take start on February 24, 2020.

Despite the charges, Correia won a special election back in March to remain in office.