A former New Jersey mayor and her husband have been charged with multiple counts related to allegedly fraudulent ballot signatures on her nominating petition for a Democratic primary race. Gina LaPlaca, the former mayor of Lumberton Township and current township committee member, and her husband Jason Carty were charged by the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office on Tuesday with making false statements, tampering with public records, and falsifying documents.
The charges stem from an investigation that found multiple signatures on LaPlaca’s petition were not authorized by the individuals listed. The petition, submitted by Carty to the Lumberton Township Municipal Clerk, included an affidavit signed by LaPlaca asserting she had personally collected the signatures and that each signer had done so in their own handwriting. Prosecutors allege that without the allegedly fraudulent signatures, the petition would not have contained enough valid signatures to qualify LaPlaca as a candidate for the June 2026 Democratic primary for Lumberton Township Committee.
Court Appearance Scheduled
LaPlaca, 47, and Carty, 49, have a court appearance scheduled for September 2. The charges include making a false statement under oath, knowingly filing a false petition, tampering with public records, and falsifying or tampering with records, according to the prosecutor’s office.
The investigation was prompted by discrepancies identified in the petition’s signatures. Prosecutors stated that multiple individuals whose names appeared on the petition confirmed they had neither signed it nor authorized anyone to do so. This revelation raises questions about the integrity of the nomination process and the validity of the signatures submitted.
Background Context
LaPlaca previously pleaded guilty to a DUI charge involving her child and entered a diversion program. That case drew significant attention at the time, though it is unrelated to the current charges. The new allegations focus solely on the petition process and the alleged falsification of signatures intended to secure her place on the primary ballot.
The Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office has not provided further details about the investigation’s scope or whether additional individuals may be involved. The case highlights ongoing scrutiny of election integrity measures and the consequences of falsifying official documents in political processes.