Police are accusing a mayor from New Jersey of DUI on St. Patrick's Day while driving her 2-year-old toddler home from daycare.
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Authorities have charged the Mayor of Lumberton, Gina LaPlaca, with driving under the influence, driving recklessly, and endangering a child, according to 6ABC. Police allege LaPlaca was "driving erratically," and they later found an open alcohol container in her car.
An eyewitness reportedly recorded video evidence of LaPlaca unable to stay in her lane and almost hitting a utility pole. Police later traced the vehicle to the Mayor's home. She allegedly admitted to officers that she was drunk driving and had recently picked up her child at Daycare.
The Mayor Is Receiving Treatment For Addiction
6ABC interviewed LaPlaca's husband, who says she is now getting treatment. "Gina is someone who has struggled and is now getting the help that she needs. I ask that everyone keep her in their thoughts as she moves forward on her road to recovery," he said.
"Gina is a loving and caring mother and stepmother. Our eldest is a teenager who can see all the unkind things online. I just simply ask that you respect our privacy."
Per the New York Post, LaPlaca's husband, Jason Carty, defended his wife on
Facebook, saying, "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." His post concludes, "I ask simply that you respect our privacy. Be better humans, and please show some compassion, thank you."The outlet also explains that the Lumberton Township Committee panel elected LaPlaca to serve a one-year term as mayor in 2021. The committee re-elected her for three years running afterward. She reportedly left her position as business administrator for Neptune Township in March for political reasons.
Gina LaPlaca isn't the only Mayor to make the news this week. Trevor Chadwick, the City of Star Mayor, stumbled across a man who managed to get his vehicle stuck in the mountains in Idaho. The traveler had been stranded for more than 24 hours and didn't tell anybody where he went. It took over four hours for Chadwick and his wife managed to free the car from the ice and snow.
