Atlantic City, New Jersey, is facing a leadership crisis that has sparked outrage across the state. The city’s two highest-ranking officials—Mayor Marty Small and his wife, Schools Superintendent La’Quetta Small—are both under criminal indictment, throwing local government and education administration into turmoil.
The husband-and-wife duo is accused of child abuse, with a separate charge of witness tampering also levied against the mayor. Despite mounting public pressure and calls from state officials for resignations, both continue to serve in their respective roles.
The situation has raised serious ethical and legal concerns, with many questioning how the city can function effectively under such controversy.
Serious Charges Against the Smalls
In April 2024, shocking allegations surfaced accusing Mayor Marty Small and Superintendent La’Quetta Small of physically abusing their teenage daughter. According to court documents, the abuse allegedly occurred between December 2023 and January 2024 and involved disturbing incidents of physical violence.
Marty Small is accused of hitting his daughter with a broom, causing her to lose consciousness, and threatening her with further harm. La’Quetta Small allegedly struck her daughter repeatedly, dragged her by the hair, and left visible injuries. These charges were confirmed when both were indicted by a grand jury in March 2025.
Adding to the legal firestorm, Mayor Small was later indicted for witness tampering. Prosecutors claim he encouraged his daughter to lie to investigators and attribute her injuries to an accidental fall. If convicted, Small could face prison time and would be required to vacate the mayor’s office immediately under New Jersey law.
Calls for Resignation and Public Backlash
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has called for Mayor Small’s resignation, citing the importance of maintaining public confidence in city leadership. “These allegations are serious and troubling,” Murphy said in a public statement. “Given the gravity of the charges, it is in the best interest of Atlantic City for Mayor Small to step aside.”
Despite the governor’s statement, Mayor Small has refused to resign, calling the charges politically motivated.
Superintendent La’Quetta Small also remains in her position, overseeing thousands of students and school staff, despite being criminally charged with child abuse—a situation many believe is unprecedented in American education history.
Several oversight bodies, including the New Jersey Department of Education, the Atlantic County Superintendent, and the Atlantic City Board of Education, have come under fire for failing to take disciplinary action or suspend La’Quetta Small.
Critics argue this failure to act erodes public trust and sets a dangerous precedent.
Legal Timeline and Election Implications
The couple’s criminal trial is scheduled to begin on July 14, 2025, though legal experts suggest the defense may attempt to delay proceedings through pre-trial motions. If either is convicted, it could drastically reshape the political and educational leadership landscape of Atlantic City.
In addition to his legal troubles, Mayor Small faces a tough political fight. He is running for re-election in the Democratic primary on June 10, 2025, against challenger Bob McDevitt.
Should he survive the primary, Small will then face Republican nominee Naeem Khan and independent candidate Dennis Burroughs in the general election.
Many observers believe Small’s political survival hinges on his ability to delay the trial and secure a not-guilty verdict. Anything short of that could mean the end of his political career.
Public Confidence Eroding
For residents of Atlantic City, the scandal has cast a long shadow over everyday governance. Community leaders, parents, and educators alike are questioning how the school system can function when its leader is under indictment for child abuse.
Likewise, confidence in city governance is at an all-time low, with many feeling unrepresented by an administration consumed by legal woes.
“This isn’t just about the law; it’s about leadership,” said one concerned parent at a recent city council meeting. “How can we tell our kids to do the right thing when the people in charge of their schools and city can’t lead by example?”
Conclusion
Atlantic City is at a critical juncture. With both the mayor and superintendent facing serious criminal charges, the city must address growing concerns over leadership accountability and public trust.
As trials loom and election day approaches, residents must decide what kind of future they envision for their city—and whether the current leadership can play any role in it.
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