JoeyB
April 23rd, 2009, 12:28 PM
Interesting article from today's Star Ledger, Joe Vaz a former Mayor of Perth Amboy and currently, a NJ Assemblyman has been charged with stealing from the city of Perth Amboy during his tenure as Mayor. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges, but apparently the FBI raided his home, taking boxes of records and other items. Assemblyman Vas visited Newport in 2006, for an event in Town Square hosted by the NWA. Below is the article:
FBI agents raid homes of Assemblyman Joseph Vas and former aide
by Tom Haydon/The Star-Ledger Thursday April 23, 2009
FBI agents today raided the home of assemblyman and former Perth Amboy Mayor Joseph Vas in Perth Amboy. Agents were also going through the home of Vas' next door neighbor and former aide Melvin Ramos.
Nearby residents said agents arrived at the homes in High Street at approximately 7:30 a.m. Both Vas and Ramos have been indicted on state charges.
Mike Derer/AP
New Jersey Assemblyman and former Perth Amboy Mayor Joseph Vas, left, stands next to his co-defendant Anthony Jones in Superior Court in New Brunswick, April 1. Both Vas and Jones pleaded not guilty during their arraignment on corruption charges.
At about 11:15 a.m., agents walked out with half a dozen boxes from both houses. Agents left in several vehicles without saying a word. Moments later, Al Rivas, the attorney for Ramos, came out of the Ramos residence, walked to his car and drove away, refusing to comment.
More than two dozen people lined the sidewalk across the street from Vas' house as word quickly spread through the city of the FBI raid. Several people parked their cars to stop and join the crowd until city officers came to tell them to move their double parked vehicles.
"It's a sad day. It's a very sad day," said City Councilman Fernando Gonzalez. Gonzalez lives across the street from the former mayor. He said he was unaware of the FBI raid until a neighbor called him.
Vas entered a not guilty plea earlier this month to charges he stole more than $5,000 in goods and services from the city when he was mayor.
Vas, 54, an assemblyman representing the 19th District, and his former personal driver, Anthony Jones, 48, also entered not guilty pleas to charges Vas rigged a public lottery so Jones won the opportunity to buy a home through the Perth Amboy Home Program that provides affordable housing for low income residents.
Melvin Ramos, 53, a long-time Vas associate, was charged with soliciting fraudulent contributions to Vas' unsuccessful 2006 campaign for Congress.
FBI agents raid homes of Assemblyman Joseph Vas and former aide
by Tom Haydon/The Star-Ledger Thursday April 23, 2009
FBI agents today raided the home of assemblyman and former Perth Amboy Mayor Joseph Vas in Perth Amboy. Agents were also going through the home of Vas' next door neighbor and former aide Melvin Ramos.
Nearby residents said agents arrived at the homes in High Street at approximately 7:30 a.m. Both Vas and Ramos have been indicted on state charges.
Mike Derer/AP
New Jersey Assemblyman and former Perth Amboy Mayor Joseph Vas, left, stands next to his co-defendant Anthony Jones in Superior Court in New Brunswick, April 1. Both Vas and Jones pleaded not guilty during their arraignment on corruption charges.
At about 11:15 a.m., agents walked out with half a dozen boxes from both houses. Agents left in several vehicles without saying a word. Moments later, Al Rivas, the attorney for Ramos, came out of the Ramos residence, walked to his car and drove away, refusing to comment.
More than two dozen people lined the sidewalk across the street from Vas' house as word quickly spread through the city of the FBI raid. Several people parked their cars to stop and join the crowd until city officers came to tell them to move their double parked vehicles.
"It's a sad day. It's a very sad day," said City Councilman Fernando Gonzalez. Gonzalez lives across the street from the former mayor. He said he was unaware of the FBI raid until a neighbor called him.
Vas entered a not guilty plea earlier this month to charges he stole more than $5,000 in goods and services from the city when he was mayor.
Vas, 54, an assemblyman representing the 19th District, and his former personal driver, Anthony Jones, 48, also entered not guilty pleas to charges Vas rigged a public lottery so Jones won the opportunity to buy a home through the Perth Amboy Home Program that provides affordable housing for low income residents.
Melvin Ramos, 53, a long-time Vas associate, was charged with soliciting fraudulent contributions to Vas' unsuccessful 2006 campaign for Congress.