Assemblywoman Andrea Katz (D-Chesterfield) wants Lumberton Mayor Gina LaPlaca to step down following her indictment on child endangerment and abuse charges, but the mayor and her husband pushed back in separate social media posts.
As the daughter of a mom who lived with addiction, I know how difficult this struggle is for Mayor LaPlaca and her family. I have sympathy for the LaPlaca family, but it is time to step away for the entire community’s sake. Everyone will benefit if her full focus is on recovery and spending time with her family,” said Katz. “It’s time for Mayor LaPlaca to resign.”
The indictment, which could include significant prison time, followed LaPlaca’s arrest on drunk driving charges on St. Patrick’s Day earlier this year. With her young child in the car, LaPlaca had a blood alcohol content of nearly four times the legal limit.
LaPlaca responded that she regrets backing Katz for the Assembly in 2023.
“I’m sorry I ever supported you. From Day One, by the way, when no one thought you could win,” she stated. “Punching down is not a good look, Assemblywoman.”
In her post, LaPlaca said she has been clean and sober since her arrest.
“I can assure you I can walk and chew gum at the same time. I will let the voters of Lumberton decide what is best for their community,” LaPlaca said. “The ‘article’ published yesterday is not news — it is merely the next technical step in moving my case forward. The community of people in recovery need real advocates in Trenton.”
The New Jersey Globe reported that LaPlaca’s November 20 indictment, which is public record but not released by Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia Bradshaw. LaPlaca had faced municipal charges, including drunk driving, but her facing five to ten years in state prison on a charge that comes with the presumption of imprisonment, is new.
Still, LaPlaca’s controversial husband, Jason Carty, pushed back.
“This is not a new charge. It’s part of the legal process. And she has rights just like anyone else,” he said to Katz in a response. “How about you actually show some of the sympathy you speak of instead of grandstanding for political points?”
