Jasiel Correia Must Resign Immediately [OPINION]

I have been more than willing to give Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia the benefit of the doubt as he awaits trial on a 13-count federal corruption indictment from last year. Everyone deserves his day in court.

Today's arrest on new corruption charges changes everything.

Mayor Correia, for the good of the citizens of the City of Fall River, you must resign immediately.

The new indictment charges Correia with extorting thousands of dollars from marijuana vendors looking to do business with the City. Four others have been charged in connection with the case, including Correia's former Chief of Staff Gen Andrade. What a disappointment.

Correia was arrested in Fall River this morning and taken to Boston to face federal charges. He has disgraced the city and its citizens and must go.

The people of the City of Fall River must find a way to move on from years of corruption and self-serving politicians. The answer is not to be found in the past but with fresh new faces, that must emerge to move this once-great mill city forward into the future.

The first step is for Mayor Correia to step aside so that the long-overdue healing process can finally begin.

Barry Richard is the host of The Barry Richard Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. Contact him at barry@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @BarryJRichard58. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.