One Time Congressional Candidate Indicted

Joe Vas, the Mayor of Perth Amboy and one time candidate for the 13th Congressional district, was indicted on corruption charges yesterday. The 13th Congressional district includes larges parts of Jersey City; most of the downtown and areas south of Journal Square are in the district. Vas entered the democratic primary in 2006 when the seat was vacated by Bob Menendez who was appointed to the Senate. The 13th District is largely, though not entirely in Hudson County. Vas, a Middlesex County politician, lost to current Congressman, Democrat Albio Sires, the former mayor of West New York.

Vas is charged with appropriating funds from the City of Perth Amboy, mostly small amounts for personal items like a bathing suit and running shoes. He also is charged with rigging a low income housing lottery to assist his driver. He is also serves in the state assembly.