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N.J. school board fired gay superintendent in anti-LGBTQ+ campaign, lawsuits say

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N.J. school board fired gay superintendent in anti-LGBTQ+ campaign, lawsuits say


The Manchester Township School District in Ocean County is facing multiple lawsuits, with one former superintendent arguing he was fired due to anti-LGBTQ+ bias.

John Berenato, who served as superintendent and is gay, claims the Manchester Board of Education fired him after community members and board officials targeted him in a campaign for his ouster.

Berenato’s lawsuit describes derogatory remarks and overt hostility from district staff and community members, which he says were part of an effort to dismantle LGBTQ+ protections and undermine his leadership.

His lawsuit against the district accuses officials of fostering a hostile work environment intolerant of LGBTQ+ rights and inclusivity.

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Two other former employees, Bridget Antonucci and Lori Burns, have also filed lawsuits against the district and various officials, including current Superintendent Diane Pedroza.

Pedroza did not respond to requests for comment. In an email on Monday, the district said it could not comment or provide information on pending litigation.

Antonucci, the former director of special services, claims that her support for state-mandated inclusive policies and her advocacy for LGBTQ+ colleagues led to targeted harassment and eventual termination. She states in her lawsuit a campaign of retaliation began in late 2023.

Burns, former director of early childhood education and a lesbian, says she experienced anti-LGBTQ+ comments from district officials who opposed her efforts to promote an inclusive curriculum.

Known for her work on LGBTQ+ inclusion in schools, Burns resigned in June, citing a hostile environment for diversity advocacy.

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All three former employees accuse the district of violating New Jersey’s anti-discrimination laws and are seeking damages for emotional distress, lost wages, and punitive measures against those involved.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.





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Former NJ fire chief arrested after allegedly forcing firefighters into sexual situations

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Former NJ fire chief arrested after allegedly forcing firefighters into sexual situations


A man who used to be the former chief of a volunteer fire company in Ocean County, New Jersey, was arrested and is facing charges after allegedly forcing firefighters into non-consensual sexual situations, according to the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office.

Officials said that between 2022 and 2023, Robert Sinnott, Jr. is accused of getting some of the firefighters he worked with alone at his home in Toms River, at the firehouse or at other locations.

Sinnott worked in various roles at the Silverton Volunteer Fire Company in Toms River, including as chief when these incidents happened, officials said.

While alone, Sinnott would reportedly handcuff or restrain the victim while pretending it was for training purposes, officials said.

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Sinnott would then force the victims into sexual contact with him, prosecutors alleged. In some cases, he would take photos of the victim while they were restrained.

Sinnott has been living in Florida and on Dec. 4, Cape Coral SWAT agents arrested him before investigators searched him, his home and vehicle, officials explained.

Sinnott is being held at the Lee County Jail in Florida until he is extradited to New Jersey where he faces charges of criminal sexual contact and official misconduct.

If you have any information on this case, please contact Detective Brandon Mastropasqua at 609-960-3768 or Detective Malikah Daniels at 856-414-8855.

You can also leave a tip by calling 1-844-OPIA-TIP.

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Crookshank Recalled from Utica | BLOG | New Jersey Devils

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Crookshank Recalled from Utica | BLOG | New Jersey Devils


The New Jersey Devils have recalled forward Angus Crookshank.

He will join the team at morning skate on Friday morning.

The center has played 17 games with the Utica Comets (AHL) this season, with five goals and two assists. He has the second-most goals on Utica, behind Xavier Parent’s six.

Crookshank has played 21 NHL games over the past two seasons with the Ottawa Senators, recording two goals and two assists.

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NJ mayor indicted by grand jury on child abuse charges after alleged DUI

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NJ mayor indicted by grand jury on child abuse charges after alleged DUI


Months after the mayor of Lumberton, New Jersey, was arrested after allegedly driving drunk with her son in the car, a grand jury indicted her on charges of not protecting her child, according to the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office.

Police in Lumberton had responded to the home of Lumberton Mayor Gina LaPlaca after a concerned resident called 9-1-1 to report that she was driving erratically on March 17, 2025.

According to police, the incident happened at about 6:11 p.m. after law enforcement officials were sent a video that allegedly showed a vehicle swerving out of lanes while driving and, at one point, nearly hitting a utility pole.

Court documents claim that in an interview with police, LaPlaca admitted that she had been drinking and said she drove the vehicle to pick up her son from daycare.

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Also, according to court documents, officers administered a field sobriety test and LaPlaca “appeared to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the offense.”

During a search of LaPlaca’s car, officers reported finding an open container of alcohol.

LaPlaca was charged with drunk driving, endangering the welfare of a child, child abuse and other related charges.

The Mayor is expected to be arraigned on Dec. 8, 2025.

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