Today’s testimony in the federal trial of former Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia continued to focus on the allegations of extortion and bribery in the issuance of non-opposition letters for vendors looking to locate recreational marijuana businesses in the city.
The first two individuals to take the stand were Michael Khoury of Khoury Excavating and John Perry, Director of Community Maintenance for the City of Fall River.
The pair were questioned by Assistant U.S. Attorney David Tobin about water main work done at building on 367/379 Kilburn Street owned by Correia associate Antonio Costa. Costa testified yesterday that the City of Fall River paid for the connection of a fire sprinkler water line to his building. Khoury and Perry confirmed that the city did agree to pay for the connection.
Such connections are typically paid for by the building owner. During his testimony yesterday, Costa said Correia agreed to have the city pick up the cost of the water connection in exchange for personal payment in the form of a Rolex watch.
Defense attorney Kevin Reddington questioned both men asserting that the water main work being done by the city was not out of the ordinary.
The next witness was former Fall River corporation counsel and former judge Joseph Macy. In his role, Macy was tasked with drafting the non-opposition letters as well as community host agreements with any potential recreational marijuana vendors.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Hafer led Macy through the process of drafting the letters and community host agreements and asked if Macy knew about any money changing hands in exchange for those documents. Macy said he did not.
Hafer then shifted to the employment of former chief of staff and Correia campaign manager Genoveva Andrade. They reviewed Andrade’s employment contract and a side agreement providing a $10,000 stipend related to her duties in the city’s snow removal activity.
Hafer asked Macy if he was aware Correia was bribing Andrade for half her salary and the snow stipend in exchange for Andrade keeping her job. Macy said he was not aware of any bribe.
Marijuana vendor Brian Bairos was up next. Bairos was given immunity to testify in the case.
Bairos has a background in the cultivation of marijuana in Rhode Island for sale for medical purposes. He told the jury he wanted to extend his reach into the recreational marijuana industry by opening a dispensary in Fall River.
Bairos said he had an initial meeting on his intentions with Correia and Andrade in 2018. After not hearing any progress, Bairos eventually was introduced to Antonio Costa. At a meeting, Costa boasted of his relationship with Correia and said Bairos could receive a non-opposition letter for $250,000. Bairos considered that to be a bribe.
Bairos testified he met with Correia on two occasions during the early summer of 2018. At a restaurant in Boston, Bairos said Corriea asked him “are we good?” Bairos understood that to mean the bribe for the non-opposition letter. On another occasion at Bairos’ place of business in Avon Correia asked him to donate $25,000 to his legal defense fund.
Bairos received his non-opposition letter on July 2, 2018. The letter indicated the non-opposition could be revoked at any time.
Five, days later, on July 7, Bairos gave Costa $25,000 cash as part of the bribe. Bairos said he gave the money to Costa for Correia out of fear that the non-opposition letter could be revoked by Correia.
Bairos confirmed testimony by Costa yesterday that he provided him with marijuana to sell with proceeds going to Corriea to complete payment of the bribe.
Bairos said met with Correia in Providence in September 2018. Correia asked him if the money was all good yet — Bairos understood he was asking if he could finish paying his bribe.
Bairos testified he gave Costa the final portion of the bribe in March of 2019. Bairos apparently was unaware that Costa testified yesterday that he kept most of the money.
During cross-examination, Reddington repeatedly tried to confirm from Bairos where his discussion with Correia in Boston took place. That evening they had dinner at a local restaurant then proceeded to a cigar bar.
The final witness of the day was Correia associate Hildegar Camara. Camara was arrested as a co-conspirator in the case but pled guilty in exchange for his testimony. He said he hopes to get a lighter sentence for his cooperation.
Camara testified he first met Correia in 2006. He was appointed by Correia in 2016 o serve as director of the Bristol County Training Consortium, a division of MassHire. He worked there until November of 2019.
Camara was among the investors in Correia’s SnoOwl app business, contributing $50,000. He said he trusted Correia and was told Correia would not be taking a salary. He said Correia told him he had sold another app for “at least a million”. Camara has not received any of his investment back.
Camara testified to his close relationship with Antonio Costa, being neighbors and golfing companions.
Camara testified he also met David Brayton, another marijuana vendor who testified yesterday to being asked to pay a $250,000 bribe for a non-opposition letter.
Camara said he, Brayton and Costa made arrangements to take bribes for the non-opposition letter, with Costa saying he would take some of this money to recoup his bad SnoOwl investment.
Camara was asked about Brian Bairos and the possibility of the issuance of another non-opposition letter. Camara said he asked Correia and he said yes, he could get that done. Costa was included to be involved in the transaction of the bribe.
After Bairos gave Costa cash as part of the bribe, Costa arranged to drop off the money to Camara in a shed of his backyard. Camara found the money and met with Correia who was present in Camara’s basement.
Camara was concerned about the cash bribe. He testified he told Correia, “This is not what I signed up for. If you take this or I take this, we’re going to jail.”
Camara eventually returned the money to Costa, who kept it.
Testimony ended just before 3 pm. After the session, U.S. District Court Judge Douglas Woodlock received an update on the progress of the case. Attorneys believe the testimony is moving at a pace where the prosecution could rest its case Thursday morning and the defense by the end of the day Friday. Woodlock said his intention is to have the attorneys present closing arguments and give the case to the jury next Tuesday.
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