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:
This request is being submitted based on feedback from community members after seeing previous OPRA requests and for documentation for transparency and thorough investigation.

January 6, 2025

Township Committee Members
Neptune Township Municipal Building
25 Neptune Boulevard
Neptune, NJ 07753

Dear Members of the Township Committee,

I am writing to express deep concern regarding the absenteeism, false reporting, and unprofessional behavior of our Business Administrator, Gina LaPlaca, which has been detrimental to the functioning and reputation of Neptune Township. The lack of transparency and accountability surrounding her actions warrants immediate investigation and action to ensure that public employees are held to the same standards, if not higher, as the police and other personnel under her supervision (and seemingly under her in the bedroom as well).

It has come to the attention of several residents, including myself, that Ms. LaPlaca has been consistently absent from her duties under questionable circumstances. Her use of "family leave" and "sick leave" has been flagged for potential abuse, particularly regarding the health of her son, yet her attendance at other public duties, such as her swearing-in as Mayor of Lumberton on January 3rd, raises serious doubts about the legitimacy of her claimed absences. Ms. LaPlaca made it very public at our reorganization meeting last week that she was being sworn into her new position and that it would be publicized for those that wanted to watch. This inconsistency in her attendance is concerning, especially since it appears that no one in the municipal office can account for her whereabouts, as was evident when several residents sought information the last few weeks.

It also seems that Ms. LaPlaca's position as Business Administrator in Neptune may be compromised by personal connections and her controversial personal life. Her public behavior has created a stir in our community, with reports of inappropriate actions and statements, including accusations of racism and her widely publicized adultery. Given these ongoing issues, it is unclear why the Township Committee has not taken appropriate action. Is Ms. LaPlaca being shielded due to her personal connections, particularly with Senator Gopal, or is there some other reason she continues to receive such leniency despite her troubling conduct?

Moreover, the apparent lack of accountability in her position extends to her role in handling OPRA requests. I have heard numerous accounts of Ms. LaPlaca and her colleague, Ms. Siboni, either mishandling or deliberately deleting public records that were requested by residents through email and not the public platform. This is a clear violation of public trust and transparency laws and further demonstrates her disregard for ethical behavior. If these actions are indeed confirmed, they constitute a serious failure in the duties of both Ms. LaPlaca and the Township as a whole. Has the AG been involved with these allegations for a more formal and legitimized investigation?

We also have concerns regarding potential misconduct on the part of Ms. LaPlaca. Several reports suggest that she has engaged in unprofessional and unethical behavior, including public intoxication and acting inappropriately toward employees. It has been made clear by other township employees that had this behavior been exhibited by one of them, they would have faced immediate disciplinary action. Yet, Ms. LaPlaca remains in her position, suggesting a lack of accountability for her actions. Is this something that you as a committee looks into or is this a Human Resources issue that is not being addressed?

In light of these concerns, I urge the Township Committee to address the following issues with transparency and urgency as these were recently made public in an APP article on investigations conducted in both Monmouth and Ocean counties in order to be more transparent. It is obvious that the Attorney General is not making light of these situations that the public is raising awareness in. There have been many recent headlines concerning the very same behavior Ms. LaPlaca has exhibited where chiefs and their secreteries or superior bosses are being fired and losing jobs for their parts they have engaged in with subordinates/bedmates and /or abuse of alcohol and drugs. Based upon these incidents in surrounding towns, can you provide us with the following so that we can take proper steps to eliminate such negative press in our town:

1- Absenteeism and False Reporting: The ongoing use of sick and family leave by Ms. LaPlaca, while she fulfills other public roles, needs to be reviewed and appropriately addressed. Although she claims "medical" reasons of her own, it seems that you may have to find another avenue of holding her accountable after she uses alcohol abuse and rehabilitation as a crutch to hold her position.

2- Unprofessional Conduct: Investigate the allegations of inappropriate behavior, including intoxication and conduct unbecoming of a public employee, within the administrative building and amongst colleagues who were present for this behavior and take appropriate action.

3- Lack of Accountability and Transparency: Why has there been no action taken in response to her involvement in deleting or mishandling public records and OPRA requests?

4- Domestic Violence Allegations: Given the public nature of Ms. LaPlaca’s personal life, particularly regarding domestic violence allegations and a rapid expungement of her record, I request clarification on whether these concerns were taken into account when she was reappointed as Business Administrator. We all know that unless you are tied with a judicial figure, no one is getting an expungement in less than two months with what the body cam footage showed, nevermind trying to pay a parking ticket in that amount of time.

5- Management of Public Resources: The use of public funds, including the provision of take-home vehicles and bonuses, must be examined to ensure they are not being misappropriated. Is this related to Ms. LaPlaca’s personal relationships with Mr. Bascom?

With so many of these same issues occurring in surrounding towns (as stated in many OPRA requests) is there a reason that you all have not taken action? I believe the residents of Neptune deserve to have their questions answered, and to know that the individuals entrusted with running our township are held to the highest standards of integrity and professionalism. Will you be taking into account the petition that many of us signed nearly a month ago? I did see that there was information sent in an OPRA request relating to this, but nothing has been publicly heard at the monthly meeting. I strongly encourage the Township Committee to address these issues with the seriousness and transparency they deserve, so that we can restore faith in the administration and ensure that such misconduct is not allowed to continue.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your prompt and transparent response.

Please forward to keep on file with the new township attorney that was recently appointed, as it seems your website is not up to date. Meeting minutes do not include this information either, but from the email blast of last week's minutes, it should also be noted that "Being responsible sometimes means pissing people off. Good leadership involves responsibility to..." just another unprofessional, yet very deliberate and transparent statement that was publicly posted. Such an embarrassment.

Sincerely,

Joyce