Trial Date Set for Fall River Mayor
BOSTON — A Massachusetts mayor charged with stealing investor funds intended for his app company is headed for trial in February.
The Feb. 24 trial date for Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia II was agreed to in federal court on Tuesday.
The 27-year-old Correia had announced days earlier he is seeking a third term.
Authorities say Correia spent more than $200,000 from investors and then filed fraudulent tax returns to cover the theft. Prosecutors say he used investor funds as his "personal ATM" to enjoy a lavish lifestyle and pay student loan debt.
Correia pleaded not guilty to wire and tax fraud charges last October and has maintained his innocence.
Defense attorney Kevin Reddington called his client "the robo-mayor" when asked how he'd handle running for office while preparing for trial.