Could sentencing for Jasiel Correia co-conspirators be postponed?
BOSTON  Two co-conspirators set for sentencing for their role in the corruption case against former mayor Jasiel Correia II are asking a federal court judge to postpone their hearings in case former Chief of Staff Gen Andrades case goes to trial. According to online federal court records, its a request that was filed jointly with federal prosecutors indicating that co-conspirators Tony Costa, who was scheduled for sentencing next week, and David Hebert will be witnesses if they take her case to trial. I think it means that the prosecution is essentially sending a message that if Gen Andrade wants a trial, theyre happy to oblige, said Somerset attorney Steven Sabra. However, on Wednesday U.S. Federal District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock denied Costas change of sentencing date, rather rescheduling it four days later on June 28. Costa had asked Woodlock for a sentencing hearing after Sept. 20, the date Correia faces the judge. Sabra said Woodlocks ruling could indicate that he wants movement, he wants decisions.  What hes saying is are you going to trial or not. These are old cases that need to be resolved and I would not be shocked if the judge insists on a trial this summer, said Sabra. Legal experts weigh in. Hebert, of Westport; Costa, of Fall River; and former executive director of the Bristol County Training Consortium Hildegar Camara, of Fall River; pled guilty separately with extortion and providing false statements to investigators in September 2019. All three men took plea deals with prosecutors for possible lower sentences in exchange for their cooperation in the cases against Correia and Andrade. As of Wednesday, the judge had not made a ruling on Heberts request and according to the federal court docket, Camara has not requested a change in the sentencing date of July 22. It was anticipated that all four of Correias co-conspirators would be sentenced this summer. Last week, Andrade was expected to be the first of the four sentenced on charges of extortion, bribery and lying to the federal government after pleading guilty to all six counts as part of a plea bargain last December. But during a 90-minute proceeding that included admonishments from Woodlock toward the federal prosecutors and defense attorney, Charles Rankin, over the terms of the deal that included no prison time, the judge rejected Andrades guilty plea. He told Andrade her case was starting at square one with her plea reverting to not guilty after indicating she should serve prison time. Even with the sentencing requests, its unclear where the governments case against Andrade will go. According to legal experts, the defense and the government could reach another plea bargain to satisfy Woodlock; she could go to trial; or the government could dismiss the case. More:Convicted former Fall River mayor Jasiel Correia hires new defense team  Last week Correia changed his defense team from well-known defense attorney Kevin Reddington to Boston-based appellate attorneys William Fick and Daniel Marx. Correia is expected to launch an appeal on his conviction of 21 out of 24 government corruption and fraud charges, however what legal arguments his legal counsel will use to overturn the verdicts is unclear at this time.