Dear Neptune Township,

Please accept this electronic request for public records made under OPRA and the common law right of access. I am not required to fill out an official form or use a particular software platform to submit my request per NJSA 47:1A-6(f), which states that an email from a requestor including all of the information required on the adopted form shall suffice in place of a completed form as a valid government record request.

I HAVE NOT been convicted of any indictable offense under the laws of New Jersey, any other state, or the United States.

I WILL NOT use the requested government records for a commercial purpose.

I AM NOT seeking records in connection with a legal proceeding.

Records requested:
Pursuant to the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq., I hereby request the following public records:

Request:

Phone records, call logs, text messages, and voicemail messages between Gina LaPlaca, the Business Administrator, and Frank Maletto, President of the Fraternal Order of Police (F.O.P.), for the period from October 1, 2024, to the present date, November 21, 2024.
Details of Request:

1. The records requested pertain to communications related to meeting outside of business hours for the union negotiations, agreements, or deals made outside of the workplace that may involve personal or professional support, promises, or actions benefitting the Business Administrator in violation of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) or other applicable laws or ethical guidelines.
Specifically, we are concerned that these communications may pertain to the use of the Business Administrator's position for personal gain, and any potential violations of ethical conduct or the law.

2. Correspondence or communications related to the Business Administrator's use of her position to further personal or professional goals, including but not limited to her engagement in union-related matters or actions that may benefit her personally or politically.
Additional Information Regarding Public Concerns:
We are also in receipt of an extensive electronic petition signed by over 1,600 residents of Neptune Township calling for the removal of Ms. LaPlaca, the Business Administrator, from her position. The petition, which has been submitted to the Township via certified mail, expresses a significant lack of faith in the Township's governing committee to take appropriate action given the ongoing tension and issues between the Business Administrator and the Mayor.

Included with the petition is a letter detailing concerns about Ms. LaPlaca’s behavior, including:

Rumors regarding her intention to file multiple lawsuits against Neptune Township in the near future.
Allegations that Ms. LaPlaca has encouraged others to pursue legal actions to further her personal agenda, often leveraging her position for personal gain and seeking legal advice from individuals who are aligned with her interests.
The growing number of residents and employees who have voiced their concerns regarding her leadership, as well as her perceived failure to foster transparency, stability, and open communication within the Township.
In addition to these issues, many residents and employees have expressed frustration with Ms. LaPlaca’s:

Failure to effectively manage her own time, including not adhering to the same time-tracking protocols required of other employees.
Lack of teamwork and communication with other departments, including those outside her immediate office.
Ongoing negative publicity and backlash from her actions that have led to a dwindling workforce and a decline in employee morale across multiple departments.
These concerns further underscore the importance of transparency in the Township's governance and underscore the need for leadership that fosters a positive, collaborative environment for both employees and residents.

We respectfully request that the Township take the necessary steps to address these issues, as they are affecting not only the day-to-day operations of the Township but also the public’s trust in local government.

Please provide any records in electronic format, if possible, to facilitate prompt and efficient review. If these records are not available in electronic form, I request paper copies.

If you need any further clarification regarding this request, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

Sincerely,
John Klein

Dear Neptune Township,

Please pass this on to the person who conducts Open Public Records Act reviews.

I am writing to request an internal review of Neptune Township's handling of my OPRA request 'Gina LaPlaca and Srgt. Frank Maletto deceptive and ethical concerns; Petition to remove LaPlaca for ethics, hostile work environment and inappropriate sexual relationships with subordinates'.

Dear [Recipient's Name or Title],

I am writing to formally request an internal review of how my OPRA request, titled "Gina LaPlaca and Sgt. Frank Maletto Deceptive and Ethical Concerns; Petition to Remove LaPlaca for Ethics Violations, Hostile Work Environment, and Inappropriate Sexual Relationships with Subordinates," has been handled by Neptune Township.

As outlined in New Jersey's Open Public Records Act (OPRA), the requested records should have been provided within the statutorily required timeframe. To date, I have not received the records I requested, and I believe this delay constitutes a violation of the law. Furthermore, according to OPRA, the records you are withholding should have been made available, including those from both Ms. LaPlaca and Sgt. Maletto.

I trust that my request has been specific and clearly articulated, and I am hopeful that you will avoid any further refusals based on vague claims such as “blanket request” or the use of terms like “any” or “all.” My requests have been grounded in specific allegations and concerns related to the conduct of Ms. LaPlaca, and I expect the township to fulfill them in accordance with the law.

To clarify, I am seeking a full and honest disclosure of all records related to the misconduct described, including any communications, reports, or evidence that may support or refute the allegations made. I am aware that this request may be sensitive, but I want to emphasize that this matter is being closely monitored by entities with jurisdiction over ethical and legal violations, and I expect the township to act in good faith to comply with all relevant legal obligations.

Should this request continue to be mishandled or if there is a failure to comply with the law, I will take further steps to escalate the issue and ensure that a full investigation is conducted.

I look forward to receiving the requested records promptly and with full transparency.

Sincerely,
John Klein