Lumberton Township's Mayor Gina LaPlaca was arrested on St. Patrick's Day for DUI with her young son in the car.
The New York Post reported that Gina LaPlaca's arrest has caused a stir due to her recent departure from a major township job and her role in the community.
The incident unfolded as she was driving home from picking up her 2-year-old son from daycare. Witnesses reported seeing her vehicle swerving dangerously close to a utility pole.
Police officers were called to the scene after observers noticed LaPlaca's erratic driving. A surveillance video captured the mayor's vehicle nearly colliding with a utility pole, prompting immediate police intervention.
Upon their arrival, authorities discovered an open container of alcohol in LaPlaca's car. She admitted to having consumed alcohol while driving, leading to a field sobriety test, which she subsequently failed.
The arrest occurred at around 6 p.m. at her residence, where the situation escalated to her being charged with multiple offenses.
Following her DUI arrest, Mayor Gina LaPlaca also faced charges of reckless driving and endangering the welfare of a child. These additional charges reflect the severity of the situation given her son's presence in the car.
LaPlaca is scheduled to appear in court on April 28, where the charges will be further addressed. Her legal counsel has not yet made a public statement regarding her defense.
Before this incident, LaPlaca had recently stepped down from her position in Neptune Township, heightening the scrutiny surrounding her actions.
LaPlaca has been involved in local government since she was elected to the Lumberton Township Committee in 2020. Her career includes significant roles in public administration and law.
She holds a law degree from Fordham Law School and has worked in both the public and private sectors. Her most recent job was as the business administrator in Neptune Township, a role she resigned from earlier this month.
The community has mixed reactions to her arrest. While some residents express disappointment and concern, others remember her positive contributions to the township.
Jason Carty, LaPlaca's husband, has publicly defended her on social media. He spoke about her passion for her community and her struggles with addiction, asking the public for understanding and emphasizing her accomplishments.
“Please ignore the exaggerated political hyperbole and keep in mind her passion for helping others. This should not erase all the things she has accomplished for our community,” Carty stated.
LaPlaca and Carty share two children, a toddler son, and a teenage stepson, adding a personal dimension to the public discourse surrounding her arrest.
Gina LaPlaca's political future and her role within the community are now in question. As chairwoman of the Lumberton Democrats, her leadership and personal conduct are under intense scrutiny.
With the upcoming court date and the ongoing public debate, the community awaits further developments. The implications of her legal issues on her political career remain to be seen.