GUILTY: Ex Fall River mayor Jasiel Correia convicted in high profile case

The verdicts came down today in the case of former Fall River mayor Jasiel Correia II as the jury has finished deliberation.

Here are the counts and the jury’s verdict for each:

Count 1-Wire Fraud-Processing of $6,000 check from investor #1 to SnOwl: GUILTY

Count 2-Wire Fraud-Email from Correia to investors #3, #4 attaching SnoOwl business plan: GUILTY

Count 3-Wire Fraud-Email from Correia to investors #3, #4 equity stake, investor agreement: GUILTY

Count 4-Wire Fraud-Processing $25,000 check from investor #3 to SnOwl: GUILTY

Count 5-Wire Fraud-Processing $25,000 check from investor #4 to SnOwl: GUILTY

Count 6-Wire Fraud-Email from Correia to investors #3, #4 signed investor agreement: GUILTY

Count 7-Wire Fraud-Processing $20,000 check from investor #2 to SnOwl: GUILTY

Count 8-Wire Fraud-Processing $5,000 check from investor #1 to SnOwl/Correia: GUILTY

Count 9-Wire Fraud-Processing $4,500 check from investor #1 to SnOwl/Correia: GUILTY

Count 10-Filing False Tax Returns-1040 tax form in 2013: GUILTY

Count 11-Filing False Tax Returns-1040 tax form in 2014: GUILTY

Count 12-Filing False Tax Returns-1040X tax form in 2013: GUILTY

Count 13-Filing False Tax Returns-1040X tax form in 2014: GUILTY

Count 14-Extortion Conspiracy-Issuance of non-opposition letter/host community agreement vendor #1: GUILTY

Count 15-Extortion-Issuance of non-opposition letter/host community agreement vendor #1: GUILTY

Count 16-Extortion Conspiracy-Issuance of non-opposition letter/host community agreement vendor #2: GUILTY

Count 17-Extortion-Issuance of non-opposition letter/host community agreement vendor #2: GUILTY

Count 18-Extortion Conspiracy-Issuance of non-opposition letter/host community agreement vendor #3: GUILTY

Count 19-Extortion-Issuance of non-opposition letter/host community agreement vendor #3: GUILTY

Count 20-Extortion Conspiracy-Issuance of non-opposition letter/host community agreement vendor #4: GUILTY

Count 21-Extortion-Issuance of non-opposition letter/host community agreement vendor #4: GUILTY

Count 22-Extortion Conspiracy-Activation of water at Kilburn Street for Tony Costa: NOT GUILTY

Count 23-Extortion-Activation of water at Kilburn Street for Tony Costa: NOT GUILTY

Count 24-Bribery-Taking half of Gen Andrade’s salary: NOT GUILTY

Here is each day’s testimony in Correia trial and what he is facing

Correia was first indicted on wire fraud and filing false tax returns in October 2018. He was subsequently charged in a superseding indictment in September 2019 with, among other crimes, extortion conspiracy and extortion.

Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan, Jasiel Correia issue individual statements in wake of guilty verdict

“Jasiel Correia made many promises in business and politics, but today’s verdict speaks the truth: Correia defrauded people who trusted him, he lied on his taxes, and he extorted hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes as the mayor of Fall River,” said Acting United States Attorney Nathaniel R. Mendell. “With this prosecution, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has again fulfilled its role to find, investigate and prosecute public corruption in Massachusetts. We do not campaign, we do not run for office. We prosecute public corruption without fear or favor. The people of Massachusetts deserve a U.S. Attorney’s office that works that way, we are proud to do this work, and we’re not stopping.”

“Today’s verdict makes it crystal clear that you can’t trade on your office, embrace a corrupt pay-to-play culture and get away with it. Jasiel Correia was only a two-term mayor, but he has done lasting damage to the trust bestowed upon him by the citizens of Fall River,” said Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “In lying to investors and extorting hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes to support his lavish lifestyle, he put his own selfish interests above those he was elected to serve. We thank the jurors for their service and thoughtful deliberations and remind the public that cases like this only fuel the FBI’s commitment to tackling public corruption at all levels of government.”

“Elected officials are rightly held to a higher standard and should set the example of honesty and adherence to the rule of law. As a business owner and as a mayor, Mr. Correia, betrayed the trust of both his clients and the voters who put him in office. The jury’s decision today will now hold him accountable for his actions,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge David Toy of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation. “Today’s verdict proves that government employees, including elected officials, will be held accountable when they violate the public’s trust, particularly in the performance of their official duties.”

“Today’s verdict proves that government employees, including elected officials, will be held accountable when they violate the public’s trust, particularly in the performance of their official duties,” said Massachusetts Inspector General Glenn A. Cunha.

In 2012, Correia founded SnoOwl, an app designed to connect local businesses with their target consumer market. Seven individuals invested a total of approximately $360,000 in SnoOwl. Correia used approximately $230,000 – 64% of the money invested – to fund his own lavish lifestyle, burgeoning political career and other business ventures. Specifically, Correia used the investment funds to purchase tens of thousands of dollars of luxury items, including a Mercedes, jewelry and designer clothing; to pay for personal travel and entertainment, including tens of thousands of dollars on airfare, hotels, restaurants, casinos and adult entertainment; to pay down personal student loan debt; to fund his political campaign; and to make charitable donations in his own name.

To conceal his theft of funds from investors, Correia refused to provide the company’s financial records and gave false positive updates on SnoOwl’s status. Additionally, in May 2017, Correia instructed an accountant to file amended 2013 and 2014 personal tax returns in an effort to conceal his fraudulent activity from the IRS.

After taking office as Fall River Mayor in January 2016, Correia agreed to issue non-opposition letters to marijuana vendors in return for cash bribes and other payments. Under Massachusetts law, non-opposition letters from the head of local government are required in order to obtain a license to operate a marijuana business. Correia, as Mayor, was solely responsible for approving all non-opposition letters in Fall River. In addition, applicants seeking marijuana licenses are required to enter into host community agreements, between the marijuana company and the local government, stating that the company will give up to 3% of its gross sales to the local government.

Four marijuana vendors agreed to pay bribes ranging from over $75,000 up to $250,000 in cash, campaign contributions and mortgage discharges to Correia and his co-conspirators in return for non-opposition letters and host community agreements.

The charge of wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, a fine of up to twice the loss involved and restitution. The charge of filing false tax returns provides for a sentence of up to three years in prison, one year of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss. The charges of extortion and extortion conspiracy provide for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Correia has been released on a bracelet.

Correia could be seen embracing his family as court was adjourned.

Sentencing is set to take place September 20th.