Former Paterson Mayor Sentenced for Violating Court Ban on Public Office

Convicted on criminal contempt after attempting an illegal mayoral comeback in 2022.

Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) announced that Jose “Joey” Torres, the former mayor of Paterson, has been sentenced for launching a new mayoral bid in 2022 despite a permanent court order banning him from holding or seeking public office. The 66-year-old, who had pleaded guilty to criminal contempt of court (4th degree), received a three-year probation term and a $10,000 fine on February 4, 2025, from New Jersey Superior Court Judge Marilyn C. Clark in Passaic County.

“Mr. Torres tried to avoid the consequences of his first public corruption conviction when he ran for mayor again,” said Attorney General Platkin. “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 initially forfeited his mayoral position and was permanently barred from public office in 2017 after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit official misconduct. He served five years in state prison for directing city employees to perform work at a private warehouse leased by his relatives while being paid by Paterson taxpayers. A 2017 forfeiture order mandated that Torres remain permanently disqualified from any public office or employment in New Jersey; any attempt to violate that ban would expose him to charges of criminal contempt.

Despite the 2017 court order, Torres:

• Publicly announced a run for mayor in February 2022.
• Attempted to file nominating petitions with the Paterson City Clerk, who rejected them.
• Sued in civil court to compel acceptance of his petitions.

A State grand jury indicted Torres on September 26, 2023, leading to his criminal contempt plea in December 2024. By pursuing a campaign for public office, Torres knowingly violated the court’s permanent disqualification, resulting in a new sentence of probation and a $10,000 punitive fine.

“The lesson from this case is simple: the consequences of a public corruption conviction are real,” said Drew Skinner, Executive Director of OPIA. “My office will ensure the law applies equally to everyone, no matter how powerful they may be.”