Democrat Mayor’s Alleged Drunken Joyride Leads To Serious Charges

A Democratic mayor in New Jersey faces child endangerment charges after allegedly driving drunk with her 2-year-old son on St. Patrick’s Day, with witnesses reporting she nearly crashed into a utility pole while an open container of alcohol sat in her BMW.

Key Takeaways

Lumberton Mayor Gina LaPlaca is charged with DUI, child endangerment, reckless driving, and driving with an expired license after a St. Patrick’s Day incident.
A witness recorded LaPlaca driving erratically with her 2-year-old son in the car after she allegedly consumed alcohol before picking him up from daycare.
Despite mounting public pressure and a packed township meeting calling for her resignation, LaPlaca refuses to step down.
The mayor claims she is seeking treatment for addiction while maintaining her ability to govern effectively.
This incident follows a previous 2023 arrest for allegedly assaulting her husband, highlighting a pattern of concerning behavior.

Another Democrat Leader’s Stunning Fall From Grace

Gina LaPlaca, Democratic mayor of Lumberton, New Jersey, now faces multiple serious charges including DUI and child endangerment following what authorities describe as a reckless St. Patrick’s Day drive home with her toddler. Police reports indicate LaPlaca admitted to drinking alcohol before picking up her 2-year-old son from daycare on March 17, 2025. Officers discovered an open container in her 2019 BMW after a concerned citizen recorded her vehicle swerving dangerously across lanes and nearly striking a utility pole.

The charges against LaPlaca include reckless driving, child neglect and endangerment, driving under the influence, and operating a vehicle with an expired license. This incident marks a significant scandal for the Democrat who was elected to the township committee in 2020 and became mayor in 2023. LaPlaca had already resigned from her position as Neptune Township business administrator earlier this month due to political changes following President Trump’s administration taking office.

Refusing to Resign Despite Public Outcry

Despite overwhelming calls from community members for her immediate resignation, LaPlaca remains defiant. At a packed township meeting following her arrest, residents expressed outrage over her behavior, particularly the endangerment of her young child. The township solicitor explained that the committee lacks the authority to force her resignation; only a recall election or her voluntary departure could remove her from office.

“I will not be resigning my position. Our community needs to be more kind and understanding about people trying to better themselves. As we all know, there is a huge black eye and black cloud over our town right now,” said Mayor LaPlaca.

The mayor’s defiance has only intensified public scrutiny of her fitness for office. Her court appearance is scheduled for April 28, where she faces potential penalties including jail time if convicted of endangering a child while operating a vehicle under the influence. The contrast between her personal behavior and public responsibilities has become a flashpoint in the community located about 25 miles east of Philadelphia.

NJ mayor Gina LaPlaca charged with DUI while driving toddler home from daycare on St. Patrick’s Day https://t.co/Y2RFuuNiuZ pic.twitter.com/jIjQuwQbzS

— New York Post (@nypost) March 19, 2025

A History of Troubling Incidents

This is not the first time LaPlaca has found herself in legal trouble. In 2023, she was arrested for allegedly assaulting her husband, Jason Carty, who later took responsibility for the incident. This pattern of concerning behavior raises serious questions about the judgment of someone entrusted with public leadership. Despite these incidents, Carty continues to defend his wife publicly while acknowledging her struggle with addiction.

“Millions of Americans struggle with addiction and never get help. Gina LaPlaca is someone who has struggled, and is now getting the help she needs. I ask that everyone keep her in their thoughts as she moves forward on her road to recovery. 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,” Jason Carty said.

LaPlaca herself has admitted to having “a disease” but insists her work for Lumberton has never suffered. In an email, she claimed, “Despite my issues, which I’m working diligently and responsibly to address and improve myself, my work for Lumberton has NEVER suffered or been neglected, nor will it be.” This attempt to separate her personal struggles from her professional responsibilities has failed to convince many residents who believe endangering a child while intoxicated demonstrates a fundamental lack of judgment required for public office.