David Hebert, Extortion and False Statements, Massachusetts 2022

BOSTON – In a shocking case of corruption, an associate and co-conspirator of the now-imprisoned former Fall River Mayor Jasiel F. Correia II was sentenced for extortion and lying to federal agents about his role in assisting Correia to obtain money and property from local marijuana vendors.

David Hebert, 57, of Westport, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Rya W. Zobel to three years of probation. Hebert was also ordered to pay a fine of $25,000 and a money judgement of $61,000.

Hebert conspired with Correia to extort a marijuana vendor for donations to Correia’s campaign in exchange for a non-opposition letter. Under Massachusetts law, non-opposition letters from the head of local government are required in order to obtain a license to operate a marijuana business. Correia, as Mayor, was solely responsible for approving all non-opposition letters in Fall River.

Hebert handled the extortion for Correia and demanded that the marijuana vendor pay a total of $25,000 to Correia’s political campaign fund by purchasing $12,500 worth of fundraising tickets to two of Correia’s campaign fundraisers. Hebert also demanded that the vendor’s brother, who held a mortgage on one of Hebert’s properties, forgive the $61,000 mortgage balance owed by Hebert.

As a result of the extortion, the marijuana vendor, his friends and his family members purchased the Correia fundraising tickets and his brother discharged the mortgage he held on Hebert’s property in exchange for the letter of non-opposition.

When interviewed by federal investigators in June 2019, Hebert falsely stated that he was not involved in the approval and opening of any marijuana dispensaries in Fall River and falsely stated that he had never acted as a financial conduit for Correia.

Hebert pleaded guilty in September 2020 to one count of extortion conspiracy, one count of extortion and one count of false statements. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David G. Tobin and Dustin Chao.

The sentencing is a major blow to corruption in Fall River and a testament to the tireless efforts of federal investigators who brought Hebert to justice. The case serves as a reminder that corruption will not be tolerated and those who engage in it will face severe consequences.

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