Fire commissioner candidate calls on Carty to resign after petition fraud charges

One day after controversial political operative Jason Carty was charged with petition fraud, a candidate for Mount Holly fire commissioner called on Carty to resign as the district’s fire director and urged two of his allies to drop out of the race.

Gary Brotz also demanded the resignation of Fire Commissioner June Gaskill, accusing her and the other commissioners aligned with Carty of perpetuating turmoil within the fire district.

“Mount Holly residents have endured more than enough lawsuits, criminal charges, political infighting, controversy and dysfunction surrounding the Fire District,” Brotz said. “When is enough, enough for these people?”

Carty has been suspended from his fire director post and placed on administrative leave for months.

An independent investigation into allegations of misconduct recommended Carty’s termination in March. But the resolution to fire him failed on a 1-1 vote after Gaskill abstained and two other commissioners recused themselves. Commissioner Rosemarie Logue voted to terminate Carty, while Commissioner Nicole Saucier voted against it, allowing him to remain employed while suspended, according to The Mount Holly Reporter.

“We should not have to continue carrying the burden of these controversies while its leadership struggles to move forward,” Brotz said. “Mount Holly taxpayers and firefighters deserve better than this.”

Brotz urged George Gaskill, June Gaskill’s husband, and Tom Rossell to withdraw from the fire commissioner race, alleging that both have supported Carty and the district’s current leadership.

“George and June Gaskill are the unethical dynamic duo that has created chaos at our Fire District and has continued to steadfastly oppose efforts to remove Jason Carty and address his conduct,” Brotz said.

Brotz also cited what he described as a recent incident involving Rossell and a local fire response. He did not provide additional details.

The New Jersey Globe has learned that Rossell sideswiped a vehicle with a fire engine he was operating on Saturday.

The latest demands came after the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office charged Carty and his wife, embattled Lumberton Committeewoman Gina LaPlaca, in connection with allegedly fraudulent signatures on LaPlaca’s nominating petition.

Prosecutors said several people whose names appeared on the petition told investigators they had neither signed it nor authorized anyone to sign on their behalf. Without those signatures, authorities said, LaPlaca would not have qualified for the June Democratic primary ballot.

LaPlaca, who swore in an affidavit that she had personally circulated the petition, was charged with making a false statement under oath, knowingly filing a false petition, tampering with public records and falsifying records. Carty, who also collected signatures, faces charges of knowingly filing a false petition, tampering with public records and falsifying records.

LaPlaca lost her bid for renomination by a 3-to-1 margin.

Carty is also facing an aggravated-assault-by-strangulation charge stemming from a May incident involving LaPlaca. She initially accused Carty of attempting to strangle her but later recanted the allegation in a sworn statement. The charge remains pending.

“As Fire Commissioner, I will put Mount Holly residents first,” Brotz said. “I will stand up for our firefighters, protect public safety, demand accountability and make decisions based on what is best for our community.”

LaPlaca and Carty are scheduled to make their first Superior Court appearances on the petition-fraud charges on September 21.