Former New Jersey Mayor Faces New Charges Over Alleged Petition Fraud

A former New Jersey mayor, Gina LaPlaca, is facing charges related to her participation in a recent Democratic primary race. Alongside her husband, Jason Carty, LaPlaca is accused of submitting false signatures on her nominating petition. The Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office announced that LaPlaca has been charged with making a false statement under oath, knowingly filing a false petition, tampering with public records, and falsifying or tampering with records.

Her husband, Jason Carty, faces similar charges, including knowingly filing a false petition and tampering with public records. The accusation revolves around an affidavit Carty submitted, claiming LaPlaca had personally collected the signatures. However, an investigation revealed that some individuals listed on the petition neither signed nor authorized the use of their signatures.

“An investigation by the Prosecutor’s Office revealed that multiple individuals whose names and purported signatures appeared on LaPlaca’s nominating petition indicated they had neither signed the petition nor authorized anyone to do so on their behalf,” stated the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office.

The absence of the allegedly fraudulent signatures would have meant that LaPlaca’s petition did not have enough valid signatures to qualify for the upcoming 2026 Democratic primary for the Lumberton Township Committee. The couple’s court appearance is scheduled for September 21 in Mount Holly, New Jersey.

LaPlaca served as Lumberton’s mayor from 2021 to 2025. Although she stepped down as mayor, she retained her position on the township committee. Her current term is due to end this year. She attempted re-election in the recent June Democratic primary but finished third, behind Mayor Terrance Benson and Kendra Hatfield.

These charges follow LaPlaca’s previous guilty plea in a DUI case involving her child. Earlier this year, she admitted guilt to DUI and child abuse charges. In March 2025, LaPlaca, with a blood alcohol level of 0.30%, picked up her child from daycare. Her driving was erratic, including swerving out of lane and nearly striking a utility pole.

As a result, LaPlaca was sentenced to three years of supervision under a pretrial intervention program. She is mandated to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings as part of her sentence.