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Paterson mayor Torres turns himself in at Totowa state police barracks | Paterson Times

Paterson mayor Torres turns himself in at Totowa state police barracks

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Almost a week after he was indicted by a grand jury on various corruption charges, mayor Jose “Joey” Torres on Monday morning surrendered to the New Jersey State Police. He walked into the police barracks in Totowa accompanied by his attorney John Azzarello for processing at about 11:30 a.m.

Torres did not make any remarks or answer questions hurled at him by news reporters. Azzarello of Morristown-based Whipple Azzarello said his client intends to plead not guilty in Bergen County Superior Court.

“These are just accusations. They are not proof of anything,” said Azzarello (pictured in front of Torres exiting police barracks).

Torres and three public works supervisors — Joseph Mania, 51, of Randolph; Imad Mowaswes, 52, of Clifton; Timothy Hanlon, 30, of Woodland Park – were charged with second-degree official misconduct, pattern of official misconduct, third-degree theft by unlawful taking or disposition, tampering with public records or information, and fourth-degree falsifying or tampering with records last Tuesday.

The four men are accused of engaging in alleged overtime fraud. The three supervisors were allegedly supervising the renovation of a warehouse at 82 East 15th Street leased by a company – “Quality Beer” – owned by Torres’ daughter Clarissa Torres and nephew Manuel Torres at the behest of the mayor.

Mania, Mowaswes, and Hanlon billed the city overtime for work done at the mayor’s family’s leased warehouse. The warehouse was being renovated for a beer distribution facility that never got off the ground after the company failed to secure state permits and licenses, according to the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office.

All three supervisors have surrendered to police in the last week. Mania’s attorney Ray Flood said his client intends to plead not guilty to the charges.

Torres has called the allegations against him “baseless.” He has continued his routine at City Hall. Just before he turned himself in to authorities, Torres had a meeting with the city’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) to ensure the city is prepared for the impending snowstorm expected to drop more than a foot of snow.

The four men are still awaiting arraignment. Azzarello said he has not received a date on when the mayor will be arraigned.

Torres was dropped off at the state police barracks by a white Chevy Suburban. His attorney regrouped with him outside of the police station and both rushed inside the glass box entrance of the barracks as a dozen reporters tried to capture him on videos and photographs.

Torres almost appeared to hide behind his attorney inside the police station as cameras aimed at him from the exterior of the glass. His attorney said the mayor will “vigorously” defend himself in court.

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  • Plumber

    finally little pants turned himself in as usual with the stupid look on his face, what's the matter joey constipated, don't worry joey where your going you'll never have a problem with bowel movements again, if it were a regular joe, the state police would have came looking for you quick, hiding behind his lawyer, just like he did in front of city hall where he had a women speak on his behalf who I didn't understand what she said anyway, had no balls to talk then either, then he's pleading not guilty like stupid ass they have video and time sheets, waste of tax payers money, Paterson the big piggy bank, prior to his conviction they should freeze all of his and his families asset's,( because they were all dipping in the pool especially Sammy torres that P.O.S.) which goes all the way to the Dominican republic where he owns a resort, follow the money F.B.I., so he can pay back the city of Paterson all cost involving this B.S. and the monies he raped from this city for many years. I can't wait to the hearing where the other three idiots are going to rat you out and throw you under the bus to save their own skin's. it's going to be real nice to see you sweat "Papi"
    .

    • drama queen

      VERY WELL SAID!!

    • Matthew Parsons

      Couldn't say it a

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