Despite public protests from approximately 150 residents carrying signs at City Hall, Councilman Mariano Vega chose keep his post while federal corruption charges against him go through the courts.

Instead, Vega stepped down from being Council President and member of the Tax Abatement Committee.

“It’s safe to say the FBI didn’t make 44 mistakes,” resident John Seborowski told the council, alluding to the 44 arrests. “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.”

Resident Shelley Skinner called City Hall “the epicenter of corruption.”

Andrew Hubsch and Valerio Luccio of Citizens’ Campaign, a watchdog group seeking to overhaul campaign contribution laws in New Jersey, urged the council to adopt campaign reforms.

Jersey City’s Daniel Gurry called on Vega, Healy and newly-elected Councilwoman Nidia Lopez, embroiled in a residency challenge regarding whether she can live and work in both Florida and Jersey City while in office, called on all three to resign.

Councilman Stephen Fulop’s resolution asking for Vega’s resignation was defeated 7-1.

Two resolutions establishing a temporary office of the council president and electing Councilman John Brennan to the position were passed.

After the City Council meeting July 29, Mayor Jerramiah Healy, who is mentioned in the federal probe but not charged, held a press conference professing his innocence.

“I assure the public that Jersey City will continue to move forward to improve work bringing investment to the city, providing jobs to our citizens and hiring police,” he said.

He expressed sympathy for the family of political consultant Jack Shaw, who was found dead in his apartment this week. The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office is investigating. Shaw, along with Leona Beldini, Jimmy King, Lori Serrano, Mike, Ron and Lou Manzo, Lavern Webb-Washington, Joseph Cardwell, Joseph Castagna, Guy Catrillo, John Guarini, Vega and Maher Khalil, were arrested last week.