Lumberton Township Mayor Gina LaPlaca was arrested for driving underneath 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 way of a area sobriety check outdoors her suburban residence, slurring her phrases, and initially mendacity to officers when requested if she had been consuming, Fox Information reported.
“No, I’m good,” LaPlaca informed the officer—simply moments earlier than admitting she had, in reality, consumed alcohol.
Police tracked LaPlaca down after a involved citizen witnessed her erratic driving, capturing video of her swerving dangerously by way of 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 automobile 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 full of 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 check whereas concurrently demanding that officers contact the township’s police chief.
Among the many costs 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 more likely to endanger
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Driving with an expired license
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Open container of alcohol in a automobile
In one other damning clip, LaPlaca was seen mendacity on a police station bench, begging, “Can I please go residence and see my son?” She was as an alternative escorted to an ambulance and transported to a hospital.
Her husband, Jason Carty, launched a Fb assertion the following day, trying to deflect criticism by citing dependancy.
“Hundreds of thousands of Individuals 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 consider her ardour for serving to others. This could not erase all of the issues she has completed for our group.
“Gina is a loving and caring mom and step mother to our son and her step son. Our oldest is a young person and may 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
