WHERE THERE'S SMOKE

Internal Investigation At Mt Holly Fire District By Conflict Counsel

Numerous Fire District personnel have communicated with the Reporter regarding alleged behaviors by District leadership that break with District protocols or state law. One such allegation was upheld by Judge Cook with regard to the conflict-of-interest vote of June Gaskill. While Gaskill’s vote was public and could be covered in detail, the noted communications involve active, confidential personnel investigations.

However, an Open Public Records Act [OPRA] request has revealed written evidence of the apparent internal strife. The document obtained by the Reporter is a signed fee agreement between the Fire District and lawyers at Parker McCay. The agreement, which is titled “Internal Personnel Investigation” was redacted of all information that would identify the involved parties.

COST AND INVESTIGATION TIME

The agreement stated that the cost per hour for the investigation ranges from $190/hr to $225/hr. The number of hours needed to complete the investigation was not available, but on line sources claim that most short investigations take from 1 – 2 weeks to complete, while a moderate investigation could take from 3 – 4 weeks to complete. With interviews, review of documents, video and online evidence review and production of reports, the Reporter estimates that a single investigation could cost the district approximately 80 hours, or about $16,000.

POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

The fee agreement letter was signed on October 6, 2025 by Fire District Director Jason Carty. On page four of that letter, Parker McCay states that “we may terminate our representation at any time...if a conflict of interest develops or is discovered”. The Reporter emailed the lead attorney for Parker McCay asking whether a conflict of interest exists since Parker McCay works for the Rancocas Valley High School Board of Education and Mr. Carty is an elected member of that Board. As of the date of publication, Parker McCay has not responded.

Another potential conflict of interest may exist for Parker McCay because well-placed sources indicate that Jason Carty himself is now subject to an investigation and has been placed on Administrative Leave. Those sources requested anonymity for fear of reprisal. If the Fire District or Parker McCay find that a conflict exists, the District would have to retain another firm to investigate Carty.

A CURIOUS LACK OF RESPONSE

Earlier in his tenure as Director - and Records Custodian - Mr. Carty exhibited excellent same-day response to OPRA requests. But despite finding time in recent days to repeatedly comment on articles published by the Reporter, some discussing litigation involving the Fire Commission, Director Carty has failed to respond to recent OPRA requests. This prompted the Reporter to question Carty as to whether it is true that he has been placed on administrative leave from his job as Director.

As of the date of publication, Mr. Carty has not responded to the question about administrative leave and is unresponsive to the OPRA request.