Embattled Mayor Won't Resign, Asks For Votes In Recall Election

FALL RIVER, MA — Facing federal fraud charges and a City Council calling for his head, Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia II stands defiant.

The 27-year-old Correia said in a tweet Wednesday he is in "campaign mode," telling the City Council in a letter that he will not resign. Instead Correia will take his chance in a mayor recall election.

"The decision to resign or not resign is not solely my decision," Correia wrote. "The answer to this question rests with the people of our City."

Correia was arrested in October on federal chargers of defrauding investors of more than $230,000 in a phone app startup called SnoOwl, using the money to instead fund his "lavish lifestyle and political campaign," prosecutors said. Correia pleaded not guilty to nine counts of wire fraud and four counts of tax fraud.

Prosecutors said he used the money to buy himself a Mercedes, designer clothing, adult entertainment, student loans and dating services.

"His actions were underhanded, shameless and greedy," FBI agent Hank Shaw said following his arrest. "Mr. Correia blurred the lines between public business and private duties, using investor funds as his own personal ATM, systemically looting almost a quarter-million dollars."

Correia was the youngest mayor elected in Fall River.

"It is because of my strong belief that the choice rests with the people of our City that I ask the public once again to reaffirm their vote for me, Jasiel Correia II," he wrote to the City Council.

The City Council meets Jan. 2 to schedule a special election date.

Photo from Correia's Facebook campaign page