Embattled Fall River mayor faces preliminary election

FALL RIVER, Mass. — Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia, who's facing multiple federal corruption charges, is confronting a new challenge - surviving a preliminary election.

Correia is on Tuesday's Fall River mayoral ballot along with Paul Coogan and Erica Scott-Pacheco. The top two vote-getters will advance to the Nov. 5 general election.

Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.

The 27-year-old Correia pleaded not guilty this month to extorting hundreds of thousands of dollars from marijuana companies. He's also pleaded not guilty to federal charges he defrauded investors in a smartphone app he was developing.

The city council last week voted to temporarily remove Correia from office, but Correia has refused to leave, saying the council lacks the authority.

Coogan is a two-time school committee member. Scott-Pacheco is a community advocate.

Associated Press