Council President Ponte requests administrative leave for city official

The Fall River City Council president is requesting the removal of a city official in the wake of the new charges against Mayor Jasiel Correia.

Cliff Ponte has drafted a letter, addressed to Corporation Council Joseph Macy, requesting that Hildegard Camara be immediately put on administrative leave pending an investigation.

In a social media post revealing the letter, Ponte expressed his thoughts on the situation involving Camara and Correia.

“If this was in the private sector – you would be put on administrative leave. Why is this any different in local government or politics? This should have been the first action on Monday morning. However, Mr. Correia is busy trying to defend and handle his legal issues.”

In response to the comments, Correia responded back stating: “Please do not presume to know what keeps me busy. In fact, signing your request for the council to retain legal counsel was part of what “kept me busy” at work today.”

In the letter, Ponte goes on to state the possibility of Camara and Correia meeting in an elevator at Government Center when, as part of Correia’s release, he is not supposed to be in contact with the people arrested in the case.

Camara, who is listed as a co-conspirator in the investigation surrounding Correia, was appointed by the Mayor as executive director of the Bristol County Training Consortium.

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