By: Richard L. Smith
Jose “Joey” Torres, the former mayor of Paterson, pleaded guilty to criminal contempt for violating a 2017 judicial order permanently barring him from running for or holding public office.
The plea, announced by Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA), stems from Torres’ 2022 campaign to retake the mayoral seat.
According to the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, Torres, 66, pleaded guilty on December 19, 2024, in Passaic County Superior Court.
Under a plea agreement, prosecutors will recommend a sentence of non-custodial probation, with the court determining its length and any mandatory fines during sentencing.
“After his first conviction, the defendant had fair warning that any future attempt to return to public office or employment would result in a criminal charge. But he tried to run for his old seat anyway,” said Attorney General Platkin.
“This conviction reinforces that when state law and the courts impose a lifetime disqualification, it is not to be taken lightly.”
Torres was previously convicted in 2017 of conspiracy to commit official misconduct after directing city employees to perform private work on a warehouse owned by his family while being paid by taxpayers.
Following that conviction, he was sentenced to five years in prison, forfeited his position as mayor, and was permanently barred from holding public office in New Jersey.
In February 2022, Torres violated the court’s order by announcing his candidacy for mayor in a public speech, submitting nominating petitions, and filing a civil lawsuit to compel the city clerk’s office to accept the petitions.
The clerk rejected his filing, and the Attorney General’s Office subsequently charged him with criminal contempt. 
“This conviction demonstrates that no one is above the law,” said Drew Skinner, Executive Director of OPIA.
Torres is scheduled to be sentenced in the coming months. According to the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, the case serves as a reminder that those who defy court orders will face legal consequences.