Andrade submits guilty plea Monday in alleged Correia marijuana vendor extortion

An emotional Gen Andrade changed her plea to guilty in a virtual hearing in U.S. District Court Monday.

Andrade, Jasiel Correia’s former chief of staff and campaign manager, who is facing six counts of alleged extortion and bribery, submitted a guilty plea agreed to by both sides where she would be sentenced to 12 months of supervised release and a fine, along with time served.

During today’s hearing, Zach Hafer from the prosecution listed evidence in the case against Andrade which included bank statements and testimony that Andrade was giving then Mayor Jasiel Correia half of her salary almost immediately upon being hired as chief of staff, including a snow stipend that was granted to Andrade.

Evidence also included testimony that marijuana vender Charles Saliby paid Correia $150,000 which was to be used for Correia’s legal fees in the snoOwl case. Sailby was to receive a non opposition letter for the payment in which Correa stated that no more letters would be issued.

Andrade also admitted to conspiring with Correia to extort a Fall River business owner. Specifically, Andrade conspired with Correia to obtain a stream of benefits, including cash and a Rolex watch valued at approximately $7,500 to $12,000, in exchange for official action and assistance that was favorable to the business owner.

Finally, Andrade admitted to making false statements to federal agents in December 2018 in connection with the corruption investigation into Correia.

U.S. District Court Judge Douglas Woodlock, who stated that the evidence against Andrade was substantial, is currently considering her plea agreement.

Sentencing is scheduled for April 27th.

Correia faces 24 federal counts of alleged fraud connected to the SnoOwl app in addition to allegedly taking bribes from marijuana vendors.

Correia’s trial is scheduled to begin in February.