Atlantic City Mayor and Wife Deny Child Endangerment Charges Amid Legal Scandal

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Atlantic City’s Democratic Mayor Marty Small Sr. and his wife La’Quetta Small have both pleaded not guilty to child endangerment charges brought against them by a grand jury last month. The charges against the prominent couple allege that they subjected their teenage daughter to both physical and mental abuse. Mayor Marty Small, 50, is accused of striking his daughter with a broomstick multiple times and throwing her down a flight of stairs. La’Quetta Small, 47, the superintendent of Atlantic City Public Schools, allegedly punched their daughter in the chest, causing bruising. Prosecutors claim they possess video evidence recorded by the daughter’s boyfriend that depicts an unstable and abusive home environment. In one video, the mayor reportedly threatens his daughter, saying, “Don’t make me hurt you!”

The Smalls’ attorneys argue that this case is being sensationalized due to the couple’s high profiles. “The high profiles earned by Marty and La’Quetta present an opportunity for a headline-grabbing investigation, even if that means meddling into personal and private family matters such as a mom and dad doing their best to manage the challenges of raising a teenage child,” said Ed Jacobs, the Smalls’ attorney. “We are confident that fair-minded jurors will quickly see that parenting struggles are not criminal events and will agree on the innocence of both Marty and La’Quetta.”


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If convicted, the Smalls could face several years in prison and fines reaching up to $150,000 each.

This legal scandal is only the latest issue to trouble Atlantic City’s leadership. While Mayor Small continues to fulfill his duties amidst these charges, which also include assault and making terroristic threats, WPG Talk Radio highlights a potential case of quid pro quo. Recently, Mayor Small welcomed Bruce Weekes into his administration after Weekes resigned abruptly from the Atlantic City Council. The Democratic-controlled Council has three nominees to succeed Weekes, all proposed by Atlantic City Democratic Committee President Constance Days Chapman.

Chapman, who is also implicated in the Smalls’ child endangerment case, is accused of failing to report the abuse after it was brought to her attention by school staff. Instead, Chapman allegedly only informed the Smalls, her close friends, about the allegations. As per Council rules, when a councilor resigns, the president of that councilor’s party proposes three names for consideration. Four of the remaining council members are allies of Mayor Small, raising concerns that they might vote favorably for the mayor’s preferred candidate.

In an opinion piece, Harry Hurley, a former Atlantic City casino executive, commented, “If you’re wondering why things are so bad in Atlantic City these days, just consider this ugly political scenario.”

Most of Atlantic City’s governance remains under state control, a situation in place since 2016 when the Democrat-controlled Legislature and Republican Gov. Chris Christie took over to address excessive expenses, high taxes, and inefficient management of the seaside casino resort town. As mayor, Small’s role primarily involves appointing department heads with City Council’s advice and consent, appointing board and commission members, and making recommendations to the City Council on public interest items. Additionally, he is responsible for providing annual reports and budget recommendations to the state.