Special Prosecutor Appointed In Fall River Mayor Probe

Bristol District Attorney Sam Sutter has appointed a special prosecutor to investigate whether Fall River Mayor William Flanagan used a gun to intimidate a city councilor.

Sutter says former state and federal prosecutor William Connolly will look into the allegation.

City Councilor Jasiel Correia II has accused Flanagan of trying to intimidate him by showing him a gun during a ride in the mayor's vehicle last month, after Correia signed a petition seeking the mayor's recall.

Flanagan denies making a threat and said he showed Correia his gun when Correia said he was considering getting a concealed weapon license.

Flanagan said in a statement that he welcomes an independent party to "investigate the false claims."

Sutter says police asked him to investigate and he appointed a special prosecutor because of conflict of interest issues.