Special Prosecutor Appointed In Fall River Probe

Bristol District Attorney Sam Sutter has appointed a special prosecutor to investigate whether Fall River Mayor William Flanagan used a gun to intimidate a city councilor.

Sutter says former state and federal prosecutor William Connolly will look into the allegation.

City Councilor Jasiel Correia II has accused Flanagan of trying to intimidate him by showing him a gun during a ride in the mayor's sport utility vehicle last month, after Correia signed a petition seeking the mayor's recall.

Flanagan says he did show Correia his gun, when Correia said he was considering getting a concealed weapon license. Flanagan says there was no threat.

Sutter says Fall River police asked him to investigate. Sutter says he has conflicts of interest with Flanagan and Correia, so he appointed a special prosecutor Friday.