Ex-Paterson Mayor Faces Sentence for Defying Ban

Former Paterson mayor Jose 'Joey' Torres has been sentenced to three years of probation and fined $10,000 for attempting to run for mayor in 2022, violating a court order that banned him from holding public office after a 2017 corruption conviction. Despite a plea agreement that spared him additional prison time, Torres' actions were described as 'brazen' and 'defiant' by prosecutors. In 2017, Torres was convicted of conspiracy to commit official misconduct for using city employees for personal projects, leading to a five-year prison sentence of which he served over a year. His 2022 mayoral campaign, supported by over 1,000 signatures, was rejected, prompting legal action and eventually a criminal contempt charge in 2023. Torres claimed his followers wanted to make a political statement, but the court emphasized accountability and the importance of adhering to the law. The judge noted the disenfranchisement of voters who signed his petition, highlighting the seriousness of his violation.