Former Perth Amboy, NJ, mayor and aide convicted in federal corruption trial

Former Perth Amboy mayor convicted of corruption

NEWARK, N.J. — The former mayor of Perth Amboy, N.J., and an aide have been convicted of mail fraud, election finance violations and lying to authorities.

A federal jury in Newark in the corruption case of Joseph Vas reached its verdict Friday after deliberating for more than two days.

Vas, who is also a former state assemblyman, and aide Melvin Ramos were convicted on two counts each of mail fraud and of making false statements to authorities. Both were found guilty of one count of violating election finance laws, and Vas was found guilty of misappropriating federal funds.

The pair was acquitted on four other mail fraud counts.

Prosecutors alleged Vas profited from the flip sale of a city apartment building and used some of the money for an unsuccessful 2006 congressional campaign.