Three DPW workers billed Paterson for work at mayor’s house, report | Paterson Times Paterson Times

Three DPW workers billed Paterson for work at mayor’s house, report

By Jayed Rahman
Published: March 22, 2016

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Three public works employees billed the city overtime for working at mayor Jose “Joey” Torres’ home, according to a WNBC investigative report.

Public works employees Joseph Mania, Jorge Makdissi, and Timothy Hanlon billed taxpayers for work that they did at the mayor’s private home on Arlington Avenue, according to the report.

Mania and Hanlon billed the city for moving a beer cooler into the mayor’s home on May 23rd, 2015, according to timesheets.

Mania worked from 5:39 a.m to 12:11 p.m. that day, according timesheet obtained by WNBC. He was recorded moving a beer cooler into the mayor’s home at 11:31 a.m.

Similarly, Hanlon clocked in from 5:55 a.m. to 2:14 p.m. that day. He was the second man moving the large beer cooler into the mayor’s home.

Makdissi was at the mayor’s home on five different occasions. He entered and exited the mayor’s home with construction tools. On April 14th, 2015 Makdissi reported to work at 3:57 p.m. and clocked out at 11:12 p.m. He worked at the mayor’s home at 6:21 p.m., according to the report.

On August 20th, 2015, he clocked in at 3:51 p.m. and clocked out at 9:09 p.m. He was doing work at the mayor’s home at 7:41 p.m. He was caught on tape leaving with a tool.

The public works denied working at the mayor’s home on taxpayers’ time. They have said they either did the work for free as favors to the mayor or were paid by him, according to the report.

The report also shows a stuttering Torres at city hall denying public works employees were doing work at his home. Torres later claimed two employees built a bookshelf for his daughter for which he paid the men $50 out of his pocket.

Torres did not return a call for comment on Tuesday afternoon.

The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office has opened an investigation into the allegations involving the mayor.

City employees and records have been subpoenaed by authorities. The videos captured by a private investigator also has been subpoenaed by the attorney general, according to the private eye.

“I find the recent news stories and reports of the Attorney General’s office empaneling a Grand Jury troubling and just another in a long line of black eyes for the City of Paterson,” said councilman Andre Sayegh. He has repeatedly called on an investigation into the alleged overtime abuses at the city’s public works department.

“Sadly, the actions of those in elected office or that seek elected office can impact the recovery and progress of our city,” said Sayegh.


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