Pemberton Mayor Charged at Resident During Council Meeting

Pemberton Township Mayor Matthew Bianchini charged toward resident Michael Sawka during a council meeting on October 21 and was restrained by people in attendance, video shows. Sawka filed a municipal court complaint the next day seeking assault and terroristic-threat charges. Police had not said whether they would pursue charges as of October 23. The confrontation occurred while a recently fired township employee was addressing the council. Footage shows Bianchini leaving his seat and moving toward Sawka before attendees intervened and escorted the mayor from the room. Bianchini could be heard shouting threats as he was removed. Bianchini acknowledged that his conduct was wrong, saying he had snapped and should not have made the threat. He also defended his reaction, saying he believed Sawka and another resident had made rude comments about his wife and daughter, who were in the room. Bianchini said he would react similarly if his family were attacked. Sawka denied directing comments at the mayor’s family and said he stayed seated during the confrontation. He said his criticism concerned township spending. Bianchini, meanwhile, alleged Sawka had targeted him and his family...