Another Vas Collaborator Guilty

Plea shows taint infects school system

PERTH AMBOY—Ana Pestrana, a part-time assistant recreation supervisor who is employed full-time by the city’s school district, became the second municipal employee to plead guilty to charges of using city funds to purchase items for former Mayor Joseph Vas.

Pestrana admitted in court on Monday that she used city funds to buy sneakers, beach wear and other clothing for Vas, submitting credit card receipts for those items to the Perth Amboy Housing Development Corporation between Aug. 1, 2005 and July 1, 2006.

Pestrana agreed to give up the school job as part of her plea bargain. Superior Court Judge Frederick De Vesa agreed to let her finish the year as a special education teacher at the Shull Middle School, noting that she has agreed to testify against Vas and other defendants.

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Scandal Shocks Perth Amboy

Vas Collaborators

One Admits Guilt…

PERTH AMBOY — Jeffrey D. Gumbs, who was a top city administrator under former Mayor Joseph Vas, pleaded guilty Monday to theft, tampering with public records and the misapplication of the city’s property between April 2004 and November 2005.

Gumbs, who was the city’s director of human resources and supervisor of recreation for many years, pleaded guilty to stealing about $2,500 from taxpayers in the New Brunswick courtroom of Judge Frederick DeVesa.

Under the plea bargain, the state will recommend that Gumbs be sentenced on June 26 to probation, he must pay restitution to the city and he will be permanently barred from public employment in New Jersey.

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School Board Member Charged as Vas Collaborator

Raymond J. Geneske

PERTH AMBOY — Raymond J. Geneske, 73, a member of the Board of Education was charged with second-degree conspiracy, second-degree official misconduct and third-degree money laundering in connection with his role who as chairman of the 2006 congressional campaign of former Perth Amboy Mayor Joseph Vas.

Charged along with Geneske was Melvin Ramos, 53, a former mayoral aide who served as treasurer of Vas’ campaign. The two Vas associates will be ordered to appear in Superior Court in Middlesex County to answer the charges, according to Attorney General Anne Milgram.

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