Former paterson mayor escapes second prison term in 2022 criminal contempt case

TRENTON, N.J. — Former Paterson Mayor Jose “Joey” Torres has been sentenced to three years of probation for launching an illegal 2022 mayoral campaign in violation of a court order barring him from holding public office, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced Tuesday.

Torres, 66, pleaded guilty to fourth-degree criminal contempt of court in December 2024. In addition to probation, New Jersey Superior Court Judge Marilyn C. Clark imposed a $10,000 fine, the maximum penalty for the offense.

“Mr. Torres tried to avoid the consequences of his first public corruption conviction when he ran for mayor again,” Platkin said. “This conviction and sentence secured by OPIA’s Corruption Bureau show we will not stand by when people violate the law to seek public office.”

Torres was permanently barred from public office after pleading guilty in 2017 to conspiracy to commit official misconduct. That case involved his directive for Paterson public works employees to perform labor at a private warehouse leased by his family while being paid by taxpayers. He served five years in state prison.

The Attorney General’s Office filed new criminal contempt charges against Torres in March 2022 after he publicly declared his candidacy, gathered petition signatures, and attempted to file them with the Paterson City Clerk’s Office. A state grand jury indicted him in September 2023.

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