PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Lumberton Township Committee has voted to censure Mayor Gina LaPlaca and file an ethics complaint against her after she was arrested and charged with driving under the influence on St. Patrick’s Day. She is accused of driving drunk while her toddler was in the back seat, and some residents want her to resign.
During a meeting Thursday night, the committee authorized an ethics complaint, which includes three violations: allegedly driving drunk, having her toddler in the back seat, and requesting the police chief during her arrest.
Along with unanimously passing that resolution, the four remaining members of the committee voted to censure LaPlaca, who was not present.
On March 17, police said they received reports of a car swerving in and out of the road. Last week, police released body camera footage of the arrest, which shows LaPlaca stumbling during a field sobriety test. Officers searched her car and found a water bottle filled with alcohol.
And, when asked if she had been drinking, she replied, “Yes.” She admitted to drinking vodka before picking her son up from day care.
LaPlaca was charged with driving under the influence and endangering the welfare of a child.
body cam video
Lumberton resident Amy Callahan has been demanding that the committee do something, and she is glad they did.
“I am extremely pleased that what I asked of our township two weeks ago, they actually put into action tonight,” she said. “And finally, the town council was afforded the opportunity to understand fully what we were asking of them.”
Mari Piscitelli said LaPlaca needs to step down to focus on alcoholism recovery.
“This takes a very long time. And you’re telling me that she can handle the stress? She can handle the position of mayor? This isn’t gonna stop,” she said. “This is a long-term thing. She needs to resign.”
“This is not something that’s fixed in 30, 60, 90 days,” echoed Callahan. “This is something that you battle for the rest of your life. And I hope and pray that she is putting into her recovery. Our town cannot be at that expense. We just can’t.”
However, the committee does not have the power to force the mayor out. That requires a recall vote or a resignation.