ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. – Atlantic Metropolis’s mayor, Marty Small, referred to as a press convention Monday to deal with hypothesis that arose after his dwelling was searched by regulation enforcement final week.
Small appeared alongside his lawyer, Ed Jacobs, who outlined an investigation that reportedly led to 5 search warrants being executed on the mayor, his spouse, their autos and home, the place they dwell with their two kids and mother-in-law.
“This was achieved in a really aggressive and public method, deliberately so,” Jacobs mentioned.
Jacobs says the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Workplace has been conducting an investigation into Small and his spouse Laquetta, the Superintendent of Atlantic Metropolis Colleges, for the previous 3–4 months.Â
Nonetheless, the small print and nature of that investigation are “protected,” and cannot be disclosed, in response to Jacobs.
He went on to say that the mayor and his spouse have been absolutely conscious of the investigation, and had achieved “completely nothing” to hinder or intervene.
“When search warrants are executed on outstanding public figures, as was achieved right here, that understandably creates hypothesis in the neighborhood.”
Jacobs says a “cautious” evaluation of the search warrants and details of the investigation required him to make these 4 factors:
- “This complete investigation arose from nothing greater than a private and emotional household matter inside the Small family.
- “There was completely no lapse in Mayor Small devoted discharge of his duties as mayor of Atlantic Metropolis. None.”
- “There have been no thefts, no extortion, no pay-offs, no acts of dishonesty.”
- “That investigation has no impact on the integrity of Marty Small and his administration.”
“Possibly there is a notion amongst regulation enforcement that mayors of Atlantic Metropolis are good targets,” Jacobs mentioned. “Not this one, not this mayor.”
Following Jacobs’ remarks, Mayor Small walked to the rostrum to deal with his household, neighborhood, fellow leaders and the media.
“Opposite to the media’s opinion, I used to be not hiding from you,” the mayor started.
The mayor then spoke on to a “expensive household buddy” and former marketing campaign supervisor, who he says his kids name “Aunt Mandy.”
“We help you Mandy, you probably did completely nothing flawed,” Small mentioned as he warned that nobody might drive a wedge between her and his household.
The search of Small’ dwelling got here simply because the county prosecutor introduced prison costs in opposition to Constance Days-Chapman, the principal of Atlantic Metropolis Excessive College, for failure to report youngster abuse and associated costs.
Small and his lawyer refused to elaborate any additional on these allegations.
Nonetheless, the mayor did go on to profess that there’s “no corruption” in connection to the investigation and search of his dwelling.
“We do not have Atlantic Metropolis Housing Authority cash in our home,” Small mentioned. “We do not have Metropolis of Atlantic Metropolis cash in our home. I did not steal something. My spouse did not convey Atlantic Metropolis Board of Schooling cash into our home. No, we do not have medication in our home. And no, we do not have weapons.”
The mayor then described the day of the March 28 search from his perspective.
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He mentioned he was approached by two Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Workplace officers whereas serving to his mother-in-law to the automobile, so his spouse might take her to get bloodwork achieved.
These officers then served the mayor a search warrant, to which he says he responded, “I am not taking —.”
About 20 minutes later, the mayor says 20 officers armed with weapons, rifles and battering rams descended upon his home.
“Did somebody say I am armed and harmful?” Small mentioned to the officers.
About three-and-a-half hours later, the mayor claims that the officers left with only a cellular phone and laptops in reference to alleged “communication.”
“We didn’t deserve that,” mentioned Small, who claims he went to work following the search, as a result of, “I had nothing to cover.”
“Let me get into the politics of it,” Small mentioned as he addressed a current subpoena state of affairs with the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Workplace.
“It’s political, and it’s racial, as a result of folks do not like the truth that this mayor is giving minorities alternatives that they’ve by no means had in Metropolis Corridor ever earlier than.”
The mayor went on to say that there’s “a variety of politics happening… as a result of they know they cannot beat me in an election.”
Earlier than taking questions from the media, Small took a second to vehemently deny “horrific rumors” about his daughter.
“My daughter is just not pregnant,” the mayor mentioned. “My daughter has by no means been pregnant. My daughter is just not pregnant with twins.”
The mayor then revealed the “most egregious rumor” that he “beat the s— out” of his pregnant daughter, killing her twins.
Small’s lawyer says they are going to “sit and wait” because the investigation continues, claiming that the Small have taken no motion to hinder its progress.
The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Workplace responded to the mayor’s feedback following the press convention:
“Normal working procedures and protocols in executing residential search warrants have been utilized to make sure the protection of all occupants of the residence, neighbors, and regulation enforcement alike…Each Mayor Small and Dr. Small have been handled with dignity and respect throughout the whole course of. For example, detectives took nice effort to make sure that any juveniles dwelling on the residence have been away from the residence and never current throughout the execution of the search warrant.”