Lumberton Township Mayor Gina LaPlaca was arrested for driving beneath the affect — whereas her toddler was within the again seat.
The March 17 incident was caught on police bodycam and paints a disturbing image of recklessness, denial, and harmful entitlement.
The video reveals the mayor stumbling by a subject sobriety take a look at exterior her suburban dwelling, slurring her phrases, and initially mendacity to officers when requested if she had been ingesting, Fox News reported.
“No, I’m good,” LaPlaca instructed the officer—simply moments earlier than admitting she had, the truth is, consumed alcohol.
Police tracked LaPlaca down after a involved citizen witnessed her erratic driving, capturing video of her swerving dangerously by the streets in a blue BMW together with her younger son within the backseat.
By the point officers caught as much as her, the aspect of the car was visibly broken, with a mangled passenger-side mirror—injury LaPlaca claimed she didn’t even keep in mind inflicting. Contained in the automobile, officers found an open water bottle stuffed with alcohol.
The shame didn’t cease there. Further footage launched by Fox Information reveals a sobbing LaPlaca inside a holding cell, agreeing to a breathalyzer take a look at whereas concurrently demanding that officers contact the township’s police chief.
Among the many expenses LaPlaca now faces:
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Endangering the welfare of a kid
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Driving whereas intoxicated
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Reckless driving
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Careless driving prone to endanger
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Driving with an expired license
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Open container of alcohol in a car
In one other damning clip, LaPlaca was seen mendacity on a police station bench, begging, “Can I please go dwelling and see my son?” She was as a substitute escorted to an ambulance and transported to a hospital.
Her husband, Jason Carty, launched a Facebook statement the following day, trying to deflect criticism by citing dependancy.
“Thousands and thousands of People battle with dependancy and by no means get assist. Gina LaPlaca is somebody who has struggled, and is now getting the assistance she wants. I ask that everybody maintain her of their ideas as she strikes ahead on her street to restoration. Please ignore the exaggerated political hyperbole and remember her ardour for serving to others. This could not erase all of the issues she has achieved for our neighborhood.
“Gina is a loving and caring mom and step mother to our son and her step son. Our oldest is an adolescent and might see the unkind issues being mentioned on-line. I ask merely that you just respect our privateness, be higher people and please present some compassion, thanks.”
WATCH:
FULL BODY-CAM FOOTAGE: NJ Democrat Mayor accused of DUI together with her toddler within the automobile
Gina LaPlaca, 45, Mayor of Lumberton, was charged with DUI and now faces requires her resignation from Lumberton residents
Police confronted LaPlaca after a bystander reported her driving… pic.twitter.com/CL4053oqQM
— Limitless L’s (@unlimited_ls) March 28, 2025
