The time has come. This week, Jasiel Correia will learn his fate as the sentencing date for the convicted former mayor approaches on Monday, Sept. 20. Get caught up as we take a closer look at sentencing recommendations from the defense and prosecution, who both paint Correia in a very different light. In other news, Fall River police face another drug evidence mishandling investigation, a Fall River native and professional singer launches an exciting new venture, and get a closer look at a gorgeous Dartmouth estate that can be yours if the price is right. In case you missed it, here are The Herald News’ top stories from last week according to our readers.
Real estate envy
Want something to drool at? Take a gander at this house and this view. This glorious Dartmouth estate has been on the market for over a year with no takers. What are you folks waiting for? Perhaps it’s the $25 million price tag. But you have to admit, aside from the hefty mortgage, this house really does have it all. Sitting on 10 acres at the tip of a peninsula, the shingle-style masterpiece built in 2007 by renowned architect Robert A.M. Stern offers “incredible 270-degree ocean views, a spacious guesthouse and substantial deep-water dock.” This September marks a year since the Mishaum Point estate known as “Seapoint” went on the market as the most expensive home on the SouthCoast. Read more about it and its previous owners and check out some more photos here.
Mishaum Point: A year later, still nobody has shelled out $25 million for this Dartmouth estate
FRPD investigation
On the heels of drug evidence mishandling scandal that led to the suspension of two detectives at the Fall River Police Department, a second investigation was launched, this time involving the police chief, which has been called politically motivated. The internal investigation found no wrongdoing by Police Chief Jeffrey Cardoza but did find that evidence, including two small bags of cocaine, was mishandled by an officer. Mayor Paul Coogan, who is facing a preliminary election next Tuesday, questioned the timing of the allegations against the chief, whom he appointed 18 months ago, since the incident happened in December and was addressed. Read more about the latest investigation here.
More mishandled evidence?: Fall River police investigate boxes found at officer’s home
Fact-checking Correia defense claims
Last week, Jasiel Correia’s defense team filed its pre-sentencing memo, looking for leniency for Correia ahead of his sentencing this Monday. The document is a look at the defense’s strategy, and a peek into the private life of one of Fall River’s most notorious figures, with some moments that stick out as needing some context or clarification. Among their arguments are that Correia didn’t seek public office “for the purpose of enriching himself and abusing power,” that his help is crucial to his wife Jenny’s “small family business” — aka the Town House, one of the city’s most expensive, high-end restaurants — and that a lengthy incarceration would limit the possibility that he could start a family with his new wife. Read more on those and other noteworthy moments from the defense’s memo that left us puzzled, pensive, or just stunned.
Jasiel Correia: Let’s fact check some of the claims by the defense in their sentencing memo
Potential prison time
Federal prosecutors asked for 11 years in prison, and almost $900,000 in penalties for convicted former mayor Jasiel Correia II in their sentencing memo filed Sept. 10. That’s a far heftier sentence than the 3 years requested by the defense this past week. Calling the corrupt official “worse than a thief,” prosecutors point out Correia’s lack of remorse following the trial, where he was found guilty in May of 21 of 24 total counts of fraud, bribery and extortion. They also cite Correia’s betrayal of those who considered him family, as well as his lies, cheating, and stealing. Read more from the prosecution’s sharply worded memorandum here.
‘Worse than a thief’: Here’s how much prison time prosecutors want for Jasiel Correia
Trial on tour with TSO
Twenty-two-year-old city native Gabbie Rae Trial is about to launch into an exciting new venture, as she prepares to tour with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra later this year. Trial, who also goes by the stage name GabrieLa, has been singing professionally for most of her life. At age 13, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue her career. She’s been working alongside Nuno Bettencourt, a musician from the band Extreme, on her debut solo album, and now a new opportunity has come up. She’ll be touring the East Coast with the Trans-Siberia Orchestra as one of their vocalists. As a lover of classic rock who also grew up listening to Broadway tunes, Trial called the band’s style “the best of both worlds.” Read more about her here.
‘Pinch-me moment’: Fall River native Gabbie Rae to tour with Trans-Siberian Orchestra
