Judge says he’ll toss some of ex-mayor’s fraud convictions

By ALANNA DURKIN RICHER
Associated Press

BOSTON (AP) — A federal judge on Monday said he planned to toss several convictions against the Massachusetts mayor elected at just 23 years old who was found guilty by jurors of bilking investors and extorting hundreds of thousands of dollars from marijuana businesses. U.S. District Judge Douglas Woodlock said he intended to overturn eight counts of the jury’s guilty verdict against ex-Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia that the judge said prosecutors failed to prove during trial. Corriea would remain convicted of multiple counts of wire fraud, extortion conspiracy and extortion. Correia maintains that he is innocent. He is now expected to be sentenced on Tuesday.