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Former Perth Amboy Mayor Convicted Of Mail Fraud

NEWARK, NJ (AP) - Former Perth Amboy Joseph Vas and an aide have been convicted of mail fraud, election finance violations and lying to authorities.

A federal jury in Newark reached its verdict Friday morning after deliberating for more than two days.

Vas 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.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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