26-year-old mayor of Fall River, Massachusetts, arrested on federal fraud charges
On Thursday, Jasiel Correia, the 26-year-old Democratic mayor of Fall River, Massachusetts, was arrested on 13 federal fraud charges, accused of defrauding investors and using the money to fund his "lavish lifestyle."
In 2012, Correia launched a company called SnoOwl and claimed to be developing an app that connected local businesses with potential customers, CBS Boston reports. Federal prosecutors allege that he was able to raise $363,690 from seven investors, and from January 2013 to May 2017, diverted at least $231,447 to himself, spending the money on a Mercedes Benz, fancy hotel rooms, jewelry for a former girlfriend, and adult entertainment. He also allegedly filed false tax returns in 2013 and 2014, only amending them in 2017 when he learned he was under federal investigation.
"Mr. Correia blurred the lines between his private business and public duties, using investor funds as his own personal ATM, systemically looting almost one-quarter of $1 million," FBI special agent in charge Harold Shaw said. Correia's actions were "underhanded, shameless, and greedy," he said, and "brought undeserved shame and embarrassment upon the city of Fall River." Correia served on the city council for two years before being elected mayor in November 2015. He has denied any wrongdoing and said he will not resign. He was released on Thursday, and his case has been continued until Dec. 6.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
The history of Donald Trump's election conspiracy theories
The Explainer How the 2024 Republican nominee has consistently stoked baseless fears of a stolen election
By David Faris Published
-
Two ancient cities have been discovered along the Silk Road
Under the radar The discovery changed what was known about the old trade route
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
'People shouldn't have to share the road with impaired drivers'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Menendez brothers may go free in LA prosecutor plan
Speed Read Prosecutors are asking for the brothers to be resentenced for the 1989 murder of their parents
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Abercrombie ex-CEO charged with sex crimes
Speed Read Mike Jeffries ran the brand during its heyday from 1992 to 2014
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump criminal trial starts with rulings, reminder
Speed Read The first day of his historic trial over hush money payments was mostly focused on jury selection
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Parents of school shooter sentenced to 10-15 years
Speed Read Jennifer and James Crumbley are the first parents to be convicted in a US mass shooting
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Unlicensed dealers and black market guns
Speed Read 68,000 illegally trafficked guns were sold in a five year period, said ATF
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Bankman-Fried gets 25 years for fraud
Speed Read Former "crypto king" Sam Bankman-Fried will report to federal prison
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Feds raid Diddy homes in alleged sex trafficking case
Speed Read Homeland Security raided the properties of hip hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Goon Squad' cops sentenced for torturing 2 Black men
Speed Read The former Mississippi law enforcement officers pleaded guilty last year
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published