PERTH AMBOY – Former City Council President Ken Balut poses with one of the photos he showed the Council during the public portion of the 1/8/14 City Council Meeting. The picture he is holding was taken on Election Night, Tuesday, November 6, 2012 at the United for Perth Amboy Election Headquarters.

The photo shows four Perth Amboy Police Officers along with Chief Ruiz in uniform posing with Mayor Diaz. Balut also has a photo of Chief Ben Ruiz in uniform and some of the members of Diaz’ Re-Election team checking election results. Balut made the following statements to the Guardian, “Was it appropriate or ethical for Ruiz to be there at the board counting the votes in full uniform? All those cops who were working that night were being paid with FEMA money. The City was still under curfew. These officers were working 12 hour shifts due to Sandy and should not have been at a campaign headquarters. They should have been out protecting the public. Joe Vas used the Police Department for political purposes. Diaz is doing the same thing.”