Lumberton, NJ — A new video released this week shows the arrest of drunk-driving New Jersey mayor Gina LaPlaca. The Democrat mayor is seen in the video exiting her vehicle with her toddler as police arrive to question her about complaints received about her driving.
Officers conducted a roadside sobriety test, at one point asking the drunken Democrat what she hit on her way home. She did not remember.
She was placed under arrest for driving while intoxicated.
Recently Reported: In a tense and packed one-hour public comments session during Monday night’s Lumberton Township Committee meeting, residents voiced outrage and called for the resignation of Mayor Gina LaPlaca following her recent arrest for driving under the influence with her toddler in the car.
The meeting, held at the township municipal building, marked the first since LaPlaca’s arrest on March 17, with the embattled mayor absent—reportedly in rehab—leaving township officials to face a barrage of frustration from the community.
LaPlaca, 45, a Democrat elected to the Township Committee in 2020 and re-elected in 2023, was charged with DUI, reckless driving, and child endangerment after allegedly swerving through traffic and nearly hitting a utility pole while her 2-year-old son was strapped in the backseat.
Court documents reveal she admitted to police she had been drinking before picking up her child from daycare, and an open container of alcohol was found in her vehicle.
Her husband, Jason Carty, confirmed last week that she has entered a rehabilitation facility to seek treatment for addiction, framing her struggle as a “human issue” rather than a political one.
The public comments session, which began at 6:30 PM and stretched until 7:30 PM, saw dozens of residents line up to speak, with emotions running high.
“There’s a huge black eye on our town right now,” said Amy Callahan, a local business owner, echoing a sentiment shared by many.
“She needs to resign so we can move forward as a community. How can she lead us when she’s conducting town business from rehab?” Callahan referenced an email she received from LaPlaca last week, in which the mayor defiantly stated, “I will not be resigning my position,” urging residents to show more compassion.
Other speakers were equally blunt.
“She’s compromised our law enforcement and embarrassed us all,” said Tom Reynolds, a longtime resident. “I’m asking this committee to do the right thing if she won’t—remove her.”
Another resident, Maureen Taylor of nearby Mount Holly, implored the committee to act decisively: “Show her the door and tell her, ‘Come over for coffee when you’re better,’ but she can’t run this government right now. It’s too much.”
Despite the fervor, township officials remained cautious, emphasizing legal constraints. Township Solicitor Michael Coluzzi addressed the crowd, explaining, “Under New Jersey law, there’s nothing the committee can do today to remove Gina LaPlaca.
She was elected by the voters, and the only paths forward are her voluntary resignation or a recall election initiated by petition.”
Coluzzi’s statement drew murmurs of frustration from attendees, many of whom felt powerless in the face of the mayor’s absence and refusal to step down.
Deputy Mayor Lori Faye, who chaired the meeting in LaPlaca’s stead, struck a measured tone in her response.
“We hear you, and we’re not rushing to action because we must follow the law and respect due process,” she said. “Our priority remains serving Lumberton and ensuring seamless governance. We wish the mayor well in her recovery, but we will not let this disrupt our commitment to you.” Faye’s remarks, while empathetic, did little to quell the crowd’s discontent, with some residents audibly scoffing at the lack of immediate action.
Committeeman Terrance Benson, a former mayor himself, was the lone official to publicly align with the residents’ demands.
“My personal opinion is that she should step down to heal herself,” he said during the meeting. “We’re capable of carrying on without her.” However, the rest of the committee—comprised of Faye, Sean Earlen, and Kendra Hatfield—remained silent on the resignation question, leaving the impression of a governing body reluctant to take a definitive stance.
The session highlighted a community divided yet united in its desire for resolution. While some, like resident Robert Rodriguez, praised LaPlaca’s past dedication—“She’s a tremendous person who’s done a lot for us”—the overwhelming sentiment leaned toward accountability.
“She’s got a child, a stepchild, a husband—she can’t be everything to everyone right now,” Taylor added. “She needs to focus on getting better.”
LaPlaca’s legal troubles compound a tumultuous month.
Her arrest came just days after resigning as Neptune Township’s business administrator on March 10, citing a “changing political environment,” and followed an earlier incident where she was escorted from a Mount Holly Fire Commissioners meeting after a heated exchange.
She faces a court appearance on April 28, with charges that could carry significant penalties, including up to 10 years in prison for second-degree child endangerment.
LaPlaca was endorsed during her election by now-U.S. Senator Andy Kim.