Gina LaPlaca. (Photo: Nikita Biryukov for the New Jersey Globe)
David Wildstein, New Jersey Globe, October 30 2023 9:37 pm
Lumberton Township officials have so far declined to expedite requests for 911 calls and police body camera footage of an incident late Friday night that led to the arrest of Deputy Mayor Gina LaPlaca for assaulting her husband, political activist Jason Carty.
LaPlaca, a Democrat, is up for re-election in next week’s general election.
The New Jersey Globe asked for copies of the arrest reports, summonses, audio and video files under the state’s Open Public Records Act. The municipality has seven business days to respond but was asked to provide the records immediately to obviate any appearance that they are making decisions based on the upcoming election.
Carty was arrested first, and based on his comments to the Lumberton Police Department, a sergeant was dispatched to their home to take LaPlaca into custody. On Sunday, Carter said he was entirely at fault.
LaPlaca is at the center of a dispute in Neptune Township, where she is the business administrator. A series of anonymous emails sent to Lumberton officials allege that she was involved in an inappropriate relationship with a police officer who was her subordinate.
In a telephone interview with the New Jersey Globe on Monday, LaPlaca confirmed the issue but insisted that nothing was improper.
“My relationship is purely professional. We had a social relationship where we’d grab a beer together and talk shop,” La Placa told the New Jersey Globe. “The social aspect of our relationship has been over for quite some time. Some will try to make more of this than there is.”
If you liked this post, you’ll love our daily environmental newsletter, EnviroPolitics. It’s packed daily with the latest news, commentary, and legislative updates from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware…and beyond. Don’t take our word for it, try it free for an entire month. No obligation.
