By: Richard L. Smith
Paterson’s former mayor, Jose “Joey” Torres, has been sentenced to three years of probation for violating a court order that barred him from seeking or holding public office, according to a statement from Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA).
Torres, 66, was sentenced by New Jersey Superior Court Judge Marilyn C. Clark in Passaic County following a plea agreement with OPIA. In addition to probation, he was fined $10,000—the maximum penalty for a fourth-degree offense. 
His sentencing took place on February 4, 2025.
The case stems from Torres’ 2022 attempt to reclaim the mayoral seat, despite a 2017 court order permanently barring him from public office after a corruption conviction.
On December 19, 2024, he pleaded guilty to criminal contempt of court for defying that order.
“Mr. Torres tried to sidestep the consequences of his prior corruption conviction by launching an illegal mayoral campaign,” said Attorney General Platkin.
“This conviction makes it clear that violations of the law will not be tolerated.”
Drew Skinner, Executive Director of OPIA, emphasized the importance of accountability. “The message here is simple: public corruption carries real consequences,” he said. “We will ensure that no one, regardless of status, is above the law.”
Torres originally forfeited his position as mayor in 2017 after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit official misconduct.
That case involved his directive to city employees to perform work at a private warehouse leased by his family members—while still being paid by taxpayers.
He was sentenced to five years in state prison and permanently prohibited from holding public office in New Jersey.
Despite this ban, Torres launched a campaign for mayor in 2022, prompting the Attorney General’s Office to charge him with criminal contempt. A state grand jury formally indicted him in September 2023.
Court records show that Torres publicly announced his candidacy in February 2022, urging voters to return him to office.
He also submitted a stack of nominating petitions to the Paterson City Clerk’s Office, which were subsequently rejected. 
When his petitions were denied, Torres filed a civil lawsuit attempting to force their acceptance.
By officially declaring his candidacy, collecting signatures, and attempting to file his nomination paperwork, Torres knowingly defied the court’s 2017 forfeiture order, leading to his latest conviction.