Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small addressed the media on Monday to clarify the recent search of his home by prosecutors, stating that it was related to a “private family issue” and not a criminal matter. The search warrants executed by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office named both the mayor and his wife, LaQuetta Small, who is the city’s superintendent of schools.
Small emphasized that he and his wife have been cooperating with state child welfare authorities and have nothing to hide, describing the situation as a family matter that they are addressing through therapy. Despite the presence of heavily armed officers during the search, no charges have been announced against the Smalls.
The search of the mayor’s home came shortly after the arrest of the principal of Atlantic City High School, Constance Days-Chapman, on charges of failing to report suspected child abuse. Days-Chapman allegedly failed to report a case of abuse involving a juvenile student at the school, leading to charges of official misconduct and obstruction of justice.
Small defended Days-Chapman, calling her a close friend and asserting that she had done nothing wrong. He also highlighted the challenges faced by his family in the public eye, emphasizing their commitment to transparency and accountability in managing taxpayer funds.
The incident has drawn attention in Atlantic City, known for its history of political corruption, but Small sought to differentiate the situation from past scandals, asserting his administration’s integrity and dedication to serving the community.