Fake Ballot Signatures have led to new criminal charges against a former New Jersey mayor and her husband. Prosecutors allege the couple submitted fraudulent signatures during a local Democratic primary campaign.
Gina LaPlaca, who previously served as mayor of Lumberton Township, faces several charges following an investigation into her campaign petition. Authorities accuse LaPlaca of making a false statement under oath, filing a fraudulent petition, and tampering with records.
Her husband, Jason Carty, also faces charges connected to the petition submitted for the June Democratic primary. Prosecutors accuse Carty of knowingly filing a false petition and tampering with public records.
According to prosecutors, Carty submitted LaPlaca’s nominating petition to the Lumberton Township municipal clerk. The paperwork included an affidavit in which LaPlaca claimed she personally circulated the petition. She also stated that every listed voter personally signed the document.
However, investigators later questioned several signatures included on the petition. Prosecutors said multiple people denied signing the document or giving anyone permission to sign. Consequently, authorities determined that the petition contained signatures those individuals did not authorize.
The alleged irregularities could have significantly affected LaPlaca’s eligibility for the primary election. Prosecutors said the petition would not have reached the required signature threshold without the disputed names.
LaPlaca, 47, remained involved in local government after leaving the mayor’s office. She served as Lumberton Township mayor from 2021 through 2025. She continued serving on the township committee after completing her mayoral tenure.
Her committee term expires later this year. Meanwhile, LaPlaca sought another term during the June Democratic primary. She ultimately finished third in a contest involving two available committee positions.
Mayor Terrance Benson and Kendra Hatfield finished ahead of LaPlaca and secured the two nominations. Therefore, the latest criminal allegations follow an unsuccessful attempt to retain her local political position.
LaPlaca and Carty must appear in court on September 21 in Mount Holly, New Jersey. The charges represent allegations, and the defendants remain entitled to the presumption of innocence throughout the legal proceedings.
The investigation also adds another legal development to LaPlaca’s recent history. Earlier this year, she pleaded guilty following a separate incident involving impaired driving and her child.
That case began with an incident in March 2025 involving LaPlaca’s vehicle and her child. Prosecutors said LaPlaca drove after consuming alcohol before picking up the child from daycare.
Authorities said video showed her vehicle leaving its lane and nearly striking a utility pole. Police later reported that her blood alcohol concentration reached 0.30 percent. That figure exceeded New Jersey’s legal driving limit by more than three times.
LaPlaca ultimately pleaded guilty to driving under the influence and child abuse charges. She received three years of supervision through a pretrial intervention program. The conditions also included participation in Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.
The new allegations now place her political campaign conduct under additional scrutiny. In particular, prosecutors are examining whether the disputed signatures deliberately helped her qualify for the Democratic primary ballot.
Fake Ballot Signatures remain central to the current case because prosecutors say the disputed names affected ballot eligibility. However, the allegations have not yet resulted in a criminal conviction against either defendant.
The upcoming court proceeding should provide an opportunity for prosecutors and the defense to address the accusations. Meanwhile, LaPlaca’s continued role in local government adds further political significance to the case.
For now, prosecutors maintain that the petition contained unauthorized signatures and false statements. The defense will have an opportunity to challenge those allegations as the case moves through court.
The investigation therefore creates a new legal challenge for LaPlaca after her earlier DUI case. Fake Ballot Signatures allegedly formed the basis for the latest charges surrounding her political campaign.
