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Paterson mayor allegedly used city workers at his property | Paterson Times

Paterson mayor allegedly used city workers at his property

paterson-mayor-jose-joey-torres

After viewing video footage of public works employees allegedly working at mayor Jose “Joey” Torres’ private residence, city council members on Tuesday night called for an investigation.

Council president William McKoy called for the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office or the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office to investigate the allegations to “clear the air.”

“These are some very serious allegations that have been made,” said McKoy. He said the seriousness of the charges are far beyond what the council can address by itself through a series of hearings as it has done in the past.

“I don’t think this falls within the category where the municipal council can handle it. This is more serious of a charge,” said the council president.

Community activist Ernest Rucker punctured the silence over the video footages, about which, rumors have been bubbling at various intensity for past five to six months.

Those rumors reached an apogee in the last two weeks.

“We do have the ability to form a Committee of the Whole as we have done in the past to do an investigation,” said Julio Tavarez, 5th Ward councilman. “The city council cannot stand by.”

Tavarez suggested the council form a committee to investigate the allegations while also involving the authorities in the matter. He also suggested hiring outside counsel to assist in determining what took place and who should be held responsible.

Last week, a WNBC reporter began investigating the case, based on video footage. Those who viewed the videos first hand said the mayor’s home was clearly identifiable in the footage.

Public works employees, clad in uniform, are observed moving boxes, throwing trash, according to those who watched the videos. There’s also a clip showing a public work employee entering the home with a drill purported to be doing work at the mayor’s home.

“The appearance of impropriety is there,” said McKoy.

Rucker urged council members to call on the mayor to explain the situation to the public and the governing body. He suggested public hearings similar to the hearings that were held in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene against mayor Jeffery Jones’ administration.

“The council will not stand by with the questions unanswered,” McKoy told Rucker.

“I’m just amazed this was going on in this city for this long time,” said Rucker.

Torres did not return calls for comment on the matter in the past week.

Torres was confronted by the WNBC reporter last Tuesday. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” remarked Torres when the reporter pursued him in the second floor of the City Hall building.

WNBC is running promotional clips of their investigation which is expected to air on Thursday evening.

“Moving boxes, tossing trash, delivering coolers for a party,” says a voice in the promotional clip while footage of employees working at the residence is playing. “Why are Paterson city employees working at the mayor’s house?”

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  • annamaria10

    Crash and burn.

  • dentss

    All politicians do this …so what

    • rosepompey

      So what?……..
      You are such an idiot…………so what ? the taxpayer are footing these bills you frigging jerk.
      There are only so many tax payers in Paterson at this point.

      You don't pay taxes apparently?
      But when your landlord raises your rent you will probably want to
      protest then but will be too late.

  • Rafael Corazon

    Nixon had Watergate, Reagan Iran-Contra, Christie the Port Authority Scandal and Joey the Cleanup Mess. No biggie

  • ch0k30nm1ba775

    somebody put this crook in jail.. the city needs someone that cates about the needs of its people.

  • Plumber

    That's just the problem, everyone talks about other politicians doing the same thing, your right, but we don't have to except it, it's against the law.

  • jorge rivera

    The mayor is doing a good job so the people going around recording people record a dick & get a live!!!

  • Kaleigh De Fenza

    By all means investigate this, but don't look into how $ been disappearing or how the city can't balance a budget, pay city workers, raising taxes, rising crime rates, failing schools, crumbling infrastructure…. Get it together and let the state or federal government take,the reigns already!

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