– Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. and his wife, La’Quetta, the city’s superintendent of schools, have been indicted on child endangerment and other charges for allegedly beating their teenage daughter on numerous occasions, prosecutors said Wednesday.
The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office said the indictment was made Tuesday by a grand jury that accused the couple of child endangerment. Marty Small also was charged with assault and making terroristic threats.
Prosecutors said both parents hit and emotionally abused the girl, who was 15 to 16 years old, on multiple occasions in December and January.
The indictment follows charges against the couple earlier this year.
Reached by phone, Small deferred comment to his attorney, who did not immediately respond to POLITICO’s request.
In one instance in January 2024, according to prosecutors, Small Sr. beat his daughter in the head with a broom multiple times until she lost consciousness. In another instance, prosecutors said Small Sr. threatened to “earth slam” her down the stairs. A release from local prosecutors said Small Sr. “smack[ed] the weave out of her head.”
Prosecutors alleged that La’Quetta Small also engaged in the abuse, saying that she punched her daughter “multiple times on her chest leaving bruising” and beat her with a belt. In another instance prosecutors said that La’Quetta Small punched her daughter in the mouth.
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Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small and his wife Pam have been indicted on federal charges, according to Insider NJ. The charges stem from an investigation into alleged corruption and fraud within the city government.
The indictment accuses Mayor Small and his wife of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and making false statements to federal agents. The charges allege that the couple used their positions of power to enrich themselves through various schemes, including using city funds for personal expenses and accepting bribes from developers.
The indictment comes as a shock to many in Atlantic City, where Mayor Small has been a popular figure since taking office in 2019. Small has been credited with revitalizing the city’s economy and bringing in much-needed revenue through new development projects.
However, this latest scandal threatens to tarnish his reputation and potentially derail his political career. The charges against him and his wife are serious and could result in significant prison time if they are found guilty.
In a statement, Mayor Small denied the allegations and vowed to fight the charges in court. He maintained his innocence and expressed confidence that he would be exonerated.
The indictment of Mayor Small and his wife is just the latest in a string of corruption scandals to hit Atlantic City in recent years. The city has long struggled with corruption and mismanagement, leading to a lack of trust in local government.
As the case unfolds, residents of Atlantic City will be watching closely to see how it impacts the city’s leadership and future development. The outcome of this trial could have far-reaching implications for the city and its residents.
