Paterson public works director Ojeda sentenced to one-year probation | Paterson Times Paterson Times

Paterson public works director Ojeda sentenced to one-year probation

By Jayed Rahman
Published: November 13, 2017

Manny-Ojeda

Public works director Manny Ojeda was sentenced to one-year probation on Monday for allegedly assaulting an unidentified victim, announced Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia Valdes late Monday afternoon.

Ojeda, 48, of Clifton, pleaded guilty to simple assault before Passaic County Superior Court judge Donna Gallucio. Ojeda, also known as Manuelito Ojeda, was arrested following a domestic dispute on Nov. 4, 2017 in Clifton, said authorities.

Authorities said Ojeda spent seven days in the Passaic County Jail. He was suspended without pay from his $117,600 post in Paterson on Monday morning, according to mayor Jane Williams-Warren.

Ojeda has to go through domestic violence counseling and pay unspecified fines and penalties, according to authorities.

Valdes’ release states the charges and sentence recommendation resulted from consultation with the victim.

Authorities did not release the identity of the victim.

Ojeda was appointed as public works director by disgraced mayor Jose “Joey” Torres in 2014. He previously served in the same post under Torres. He was demoted from the director post when Jeffery Jones came into office in 2010.

Ojeda sued the city winning a $150,000 settlement.

The city hired Ojeda in 1988, according to municipal records. He was involved in the public works scandal that took down Torres and three public works supervisors.

Ojeda’s signature appeared on at least two of the fraudulent overtime authorization forms. No criminal charges were filed against Ojeda in the Torres overtime case. Strangely, Ojeda was sentenced on the eve of Torres’ sentencing.

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