LaPlaca says her husband ‘literally tried to kill me’

In her first public statement since an incident at her home early Thursday morning, Lumberton Township Committeewoman Gina LaPlaca is alleging that her controversial husband, Jason Carty, “literally tried to kill me.”

Carty, a political operative and member of the Rancocas Valley Regional High School Board of Education, was charged with attempting to strangle LaPlaca.

LaPlaca, who faces a serious contest in her bid for re-election in Tuesday’s Democratic primary, pleaded guilty three months ago to child endangerment stemming from a 2025 drunk-driving incident with her young child in the car.  She also admitted to driving drunk; she was four times the legal limit after picking up her son from school.  Police found open alcoholic containers inside her damaged vehicle.

This week, a local police officer reported that he smelled alcohol on LaPlaca’s breath and felt she had been drinking.  LaPlaca denied that.  She also rejected an online allegation that she had called police officers liars.

“My husband was the one drinking, not me,” she said in her social media post. “I am on antidepressants and anti-anxiety meds, and this incident happened at 6:45 AM when, frankly, I’m not at my best. Never been a morning person.”

LaPlaca alleged that Carty “purposely taunts my sobriety by coming home drunk and putting alcohol in front of me.”

Superior Court Judge Craig Amrbose permitted LaPlaca’s request to be admitted to the state’s Pre-Trial Intervention program, which would allow her to avoid a criminal record if she avoids brushes with the law for three years. Ambrose had initially denied her request.

The plea to a fourth-degree count of child endangerment and abuse led to three years of supervised probation under the state’s pretrial program. The terms of her PTI included continued treatment, regular attendance at Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, and other terms dictated by the state Department of Children and Families.

In addition to LaPlaca’s race next week – she faces Mayor Terrance Benson and former Committeewoman Kendra Hatfield in a contest for two seats – Carty is backing an insurgent slate of Democratic county committee candidates in Mount Holly, where he is currently under suspension as the fire director.