During a contentious meeting Tuesday night the Fall River City Council voted overwhelmingly, 8 to 1, that they have no confidence in Mayor Jasiel Correia. They also approved a motion on a 6 to 3 vote asking him to resign.
Correia is facing a 13-count federal indictment that alleges he defrauded investors in an app he created before he was mayor. He is refusing to resign and sent the council a packet detailing how he’s fulfilled his duties since his arrest last month.
A motion declaring Correia unable to perform his duties was voted down.
A recall petition by city residents is underway.
Councilor Stephen Long approved both the no confidence motion and the request that the mayor resign.
Long said he has been a big supporter of the administration and that he thinks “we’ve done some great things in the city.”
“But my moral obligation to the citizens of this city and to myself is to say nobody in this situation should be allowed to serve in public office,” Long said.
Long lamented that there was no state law forcing local elected officials under indictment to resign.
