Democrat mayor slapped with DUI, child endangerment charges after allegedly crazy St. Patrick's Day ride home with toddler



The Democratic mayor of Lumberton, New Jersey, was arrested Monday evening and slapped with numerous charges, including second-degree child endangerment, after allegedly picking up her toddler from daycare then recklessly driving home in an intoxicated state.

Gina LaPlaca, who was sworn in for another term as mayor in January and serves also as the chairwoman of the Lumberton Democrats, indicated she has no intention of stepping down from her role as mayor.

The Asbury Park Press reported that LaPlaca, 45, has been charged with child endangerment; cruelty and neglect; operating a motor vehicle under the influence; reckless driving; careless driving likely to endanger; crossing over marked lanes in traffic; driving with an expired license; and for having an open container of alcohol in her vehicle.

LaPlaca was allegedly caught on video driving her 2019 BMW haphazardly, swerving in and out of her lane, and then at one point nearly crashing into a utility pole, reported the Philadelphia Inquirer. When police later found the vehicle with the toddler strapped in the backseat, LaPlaca allegedly confessed both to drinking and recently picking up her 2-year-old son from daycare.

'I will not be resigning my position.'

Cops reportedly conducted field sobriety tests and found an open alcoholic beverage in the BMW.

The Democratic mayor, who was escorted out of a March 5 Mount Holly Fire Commissioners meeting following a vicious exchange with audience members and was arrested in 2023 for allegedly assaulting her activist husband, is scheduled to appear in court on April 28.

LaPlaca reportedly stated Tuesday on social media, "The unfortunate fact is that I have a disease, one which millions of people share and that I would not wish on my worst enemy. My husband is taking me today to get the help I need and which I have been reluctant to get because I am not one to admit 'weakness' or ask for help."

The Democratic mayor added, "And no I will not be resigning my position. I will come back from recovery stronger and more focused on what is best for my family and our community."

In 2023, LaPlaca was arrested for assaulting her activist husband, Jason Carty, who was also arrested. Carty assumed responsibility, thereby neutralizing the charges against his wife, reported the New Jersey Globe, which has dubbed the Democratic mayor the "Queen of Toxicity."

"Millions of Americans struggle with addiction and never get help. Gina is someone who has struggled, and is now getting the help she needs," LaPlaca's husband, Jason Carty, said in a statement. "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."

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REPORT: Police Charge New Jersey Mayor Gina LaPlaca With DUI In Alleged Incident Involving Young Son

'Gina is someone who has struggled and is now getting that help that she needs'

20 Democrat AGs sue Trump's Education Department over 'massive' staff cuts



A coalition of attorneys general from 20 states and Washington, D.C., filed a lawsuit on Thursday against the Trump administration over its move to lay off nearly 50% of the Department of Education's workforce.

Earlier this week, the Education Department terminated over 1,300 employees. Education Secretary Linda McMahon called the action the "first step" in President Donald Trump's "mandate" to shut down the department.

'Elected with a mandate from the American public to return education authority to the states.'

"What we did today was to take the first step of eliminating what I think is bureaucratic bloat," McMahon stated.

In February, the Education Department fired 63 probationary workers. Another 600 staffers voluntarily quit as part of the Trump administration buyout offer.

Earlier this week, a DOE spokesperson stated that the layoffs were meant to cut the department's workforce "roughly in half," adding that 131 teams would be eliminated.

"We are focusing on eliminating full teams whose operations are either redundant or not necessary for the functioning of the department," the spokesperson said.

"We're going to have these folks roll over their responsibilities by Friday, March 21. They will then go on paid administrative leave until the reduction in force is complete," the DOE official continued. "They will be teleworking from tomorrow until March 21. Then all of that is being done for safety reasons to protect the 2,183 employees that are going to remain after the [reduction in force] is complete."

The states suing the administration, the department, and McMahon included New York, Massachusetts, Hawaii, California, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, and Wisconsin.

The Democratic attorneys general wrote in their lawsuit that the layoffs were "an effective dismantling of the Department." They argued that the Trump administration lacks the authority to eradicate the Education Department.

Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell stated, "Neither President Trump nor his secretary have the power to demolish a congressionally created department."

New York Attorney General Letitia James said, "This outrageous effort to leave students behind and deprive them of a quality education is reckless and illegal."

The complaint contended that the department is "essential."

"The dismantling of the Department will also result in the termination of afterschool programs," the lawsuit read. "Regardless of what alternative resources are put in the place of the Department of Education, the process of the Department's dismantling will create and has created chaos, disruption, uncertainty, delays and confusion for Plaintiff States and their residents."

Madi Biedermann, an Education Department spokesperson, declared that Trump was "elected with a mandate from the American public to return education authority to the states."

She noted that the layoffs were "strategic, internal-facing" and "will not directly impact students and families."

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New Jersey Gubernatorial Hopeful Speaks at Rally Featuring CAIR Leader Who Justified Oct. 7

New Jersey gubernatorial candidate and Newark mayor Ras Baraka (D.) spoke Tuesday at an anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement rally that featured the Council on American-Islamic Relations New Jersey (CAIR NJ), an anti-Semitic group that justified the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Rallygoers gathered outside Delaney Hall, the Trump administration's newly commissioned illegal immigrant detention […]

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Airplane passenger arrested after allegedly banging on cockpit door and threatening captain. But that's just for starters.



An airplane passenger from New Jersey was arrested Sunday after allegedly banging on the cockpit door, threatening the captain, and harassing and threatening flight attendants, crew members, and other passengers, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey announced Monday.

Officials said that shortly after the flight took off from Miami on Sunday, Luis A. Vaquero, 27, of Passaic County, began threatening and harassing passengers — including making threats of physical violence toward a disabled minor and mocking a group of Jewish passengers.

'I wanna see that f**kin’ captain! Come outside, you bitch-ass [N-word]!'

Officials added that Vaquero also threatened a flight crew member who declined to serve him alcohol after the beverage service window closed, telling her, “You better watch out, s**t’s gonna happen to you."

Upon landing at Newark Liberty International Airport, flight attendants alerted law enforcement, officials said. After hearing the announcement that the plane was awaiting the arrival of law enforcement, Vaquero forced his way to the front of the plane and began banging on the flight deck door, demanding, “I need the pilot to come outside!” officials said.

When a flight attendant attempted to intervene, Vaquero yelled, “I will really break your f**kin’ jaw, [N-word]!” officials said.

Vaquero also yelled, “I wanna see that f**kin’ captain! Come outside, you bitch-ass [N-word]!” officials said. When the captain emerged, Vaquero continued threatening the captain — while six inches from his face — until law enforcement intervened and escorted him off the flight, officials said.

Vaquero was charged by complaint in Newark federal court with one count of interference with flight crew members and attendants by assault or intimidation, officials said, adding that he was then released.

The charge of interfering with flight crew members and attendants carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000, officials said.

Acting Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly called it "a terrifying attack and attempted breach of the flight deck" and said that "the harrowing flight and other similar incidents on board airplanes recently are creating tension and fear for fliers and crew members. FBI Newark has a warning for those who think it may not be a big deal — they're breaking federal law, and they will be brought to justice.”

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New Jersey Judge Tosses State AG's Climate Lawsuit Against Oil Companies Out of Court

A New Jersey court dismissed the state attorney general's lawsuit accusing the nation's largest oil and gas producers of causing global warming—a massive blow for climate activists who saw the case as an opportunity to regulate emissions nationwide and worldwide.

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New Jersey Unions Demand State Hire Teachers Who Struggle To Read Or Write

Unions are not interested in representing excellent teachers or providing children with superior educational experiences.

Yes, There Is A Clear Path To Victory For The Pro-Life Movement This Year

This year, pro-life organizations across the country are poised to fight abortion by defunding Planned Parenthood and more.

'Bullion Bob' Menendez Gets 11 Years Behind Bars

Disgraced ex-senator Bob Menendez (D., N.J.) was sentenced to 11 years in prison Wednesday afternoon for his role in a bribery scheme.

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Bob Menendez Sentenced To 11 Years In Prison

The then-senator was sentenced to 11 years