Former NJ Mayor and Husband Charged With Ballot Fraud

Gina LaPlaca, a former mayor and current committeewoman in Lumberton Township, New Jersey, and her husband, Jason Carty, have been charged with multiple felonies for allegedly submitting fraudulent signatures to place LaPlaca on the ballot for the June 2026 Democratic primary. The Burlington County Prosecutor's Office announced the charges on August 12, 2026, stating that without the forged signatures, LaPlaca's nominating petition would not have met the legal threshold to qualify for the race.

According to prosecutors, an investigation found that several individuals whose names appeared on the petition told investigators they never signed it and did not authorize anyone to sign on their behalf. LaPlaca, 47, signed a sworn affidavit claiming she had personally circulated the petition and that every signature was in the voter's own handwriting. Carty, 49, collected signatures and submitted the petition to the Lumberton Township Municipal Clerk.

LaPlaca faces charges of making a false statement under oath, knowingly filing a false petition, two counts of tampering with public records or information, and falsifying or tampering with records. Carty faces charges of knowingly filing...