Crime & Safety
Disgraced NJ Mayor Sentenced For Running For Office Again, Despite Ban
The former city leader already spent time in prison for official misconduct, and was barred from seeking public office again.
PATERSON, NJ — A former New Jersey mayor has been sentenced to probation for launching a campaign to re-take his seat after being barred from running for office again.
Jose “Joey” Torres served as mayor of Paterson from 2002 until 2017, when he was arraigned on corruption charges and forced to step down. He spent 13 months in prison after pleading guilty, and his plea bargain prohibited him from seeking public office or employment again.
Officials said that Torres made a public speech in February of 2022 saying he would run for mayor of Paterson again, and collected more than 1,100 signatures supporting his candidacy. When the Paterson City Clerk's Office rejected the signatures, Torres filed a civil lawsuit seeking to force their hand, according to court documents.
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The AG's office charged Torres with "purposely and knowingly" disobeying the order, and he pleaded guilty to fourth-degree criminal contempt of court back in December.
On Tuesday, Passaic County Superior Court Judge Marilyn C. Clark sentenced Torres to three years of probation, and imposed a $10,000 fine.
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