Paul Ryan is being the target of criticism after journalists and the head of a charity say he staged a photo at an Ohio soup kitchen where he washed dishes that didn't need to be clean.

The Congressman was present at the location but what is been questioned is whether someone else had already washed the dishes that he appeared to be cleaning in the pictures. 

The photographs show Ryan wearing an apron and with his shirt's sleeves rolled up scrubbing large metal pots.

The Vice Presidential candidate paid a visit to the soup kitchen at Youngstown State University on Saturday. He reportedly helped wash dishes and his wife and children helped dry them after lunch was served at the St. Vincent De Paul Society Hall.

However, the Washington Post reports that Ryan and his family arrived after all the homeless dinners had left and after the kitchen was cleaned up. The Post's reporter Felicia Sonmez says she saw the dishes were clean.

The President of the St. Vincent De Paul Society in Mahoning County in Ohio, said Ryan "did nothing" and washed "clean pans."

"The photo-op they did wasn't even accurate. He did nothing. He just came in here to get his picture taken at the dining hall," the President of the charity, Brian J. Antal, told the Washington Post.

Mr. Antal also said that Ryan's campaign didn't ask for his permission to make the visit.

"Had they asked for permission, it wouldn't have been granted...But I certainly wouldn't have let him wash clean pans, and then take a picture," Antal said, according to the Post.

Antal explained that his charity is faith-based and apolitical.

But a Romney aide told the Washington Post that a woman on site told the campaign that "it would be fine for the congressman to stop by."

The aide also told the Post that imprompty visits are usual protocol. 

Tags: Paul Ryan