NEWTON, N.J. – Sussex County Republican Chairman Joe LaBarbera says he will remain at the helm of the county GOP while fighting criminal charges stemming from a September 12th roadside confrontation in Stillwater Township.
LaBarbera, 50, faces four charges, including second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, aggravated assault by pointing a firearm, unjustified display of a firearm and endangering the welfare of a child. State Police say another driver alleged that LaBarbera pointed a handgun during the encounter; a juvenile passenger was inside the other vehicle, and no injuries were reported.
LaBarbera is now publicly disputing that account.
“I have been wrongly accused of a crime that I did not commit,” LaBarbera wrote in a lengthy statement to members of the Sussex County Republican Committee.
According to LaBarbera, he encountered an SUV stopped in the roadway while returning home from a football game at his children’s school and stopped to ask whether the driver needed assistance. He claims the other driver responded angrily and subsequently made what LaBarbera interpreted as a threat to shoot him.
LaBarbera, who says he was lawfully carrying pursuant to a concealed-carry permit, acknowledged placing his hand on his firearm and partially drawing it. He categorically denies pointing the weapon at the other driver.
“I did not point a firearm at anyone,” LaBarbera said. “I did not threaten anyone. I did not menace anyone.”
He says he secured the weapon after determining that he could see the driver’s hands and no weapon was visible, created distance from the encounter and called 911 himself. LaBarbera was subsequently arrested following a State Police investigation.
The charges prompted State Sen. Parker Space, Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia, Assemblyman Michael Inganamort and all five Sussex County commissioners to jointly call for LaBarbera to temporarily step aside and allow Vice Chairman Billy Marotta to lead the organization while the criminal matter proceeds.
LaBarbera says he’s staying put for now.
“I have no intention of resigning as Chairman because of false accusations, nor will I,” he told county committee members.
He will, however, temporarily reduce his day-to-day workload while attending to his family and legal defense. LaBarbera said Marotta will assume additional campaign responsibilities, Tony will focus on fundraising, and Rachel and Gene will handle more of the committee’s communications and routine operations.
LaBarbera said he will continue participating in major decisions and supporting Republican candidates through the remainder of the campaign.
The chairman also acknowledged that he had already been considering whether to seek another term before his arrest. He said he has made no decision and expects to address his political future next spring.
For now, LaBarbera said he intends to fight the charges through the courts and asked committee members to reserve judgment until the evidence is heard.
