The executive director of New Jersey’s largest LGBTQ civil rights organization resigned Tuesday (Dec. 16) amid allegations related to child abuse.
Christian Fuscarino, who had led Garden State Equality since 2016, has been charged with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child by a caretaker and two counts of simple assault following an incident that took place at approximately 8 p.m. Nov. 9 at his Neptune City home in Monmouth County, according to the affidavit of probable cause.
Fuscarino, 35, was a “resource parent” to a male child, according to the affidavit. The child’s age was redacted. In New Jersey, the term “foster parent” was replaced by the term “resource parent,” according to the state Department of Children and Families. The affidavit said that Fuscarino pulled the child out of bed, struck him with an open hand “multiple times across the face” and then pushed him into a wall several times.
The alleged assault was recorded by a home security video camera, according to the affidavit. In the video, Fuscarino appeared to stop and speak to the child and struck him again “upward in the face,” the affidavit said. Another caretaker took the child to the Monmouth County Child Advocacy Center, which investigates child abuse claims, in Freehold. A forensic interview found no physical abuse, the affidavit said. However, it continued by stating that another person in the home witnessed Fuscarino hitting the child and intervened.
The state Division of Child Protection and Permanency obtained the video and notified the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office on Nov. 20. Neptune City police arrested Fuscarino the following day. The case has been referred to the county prosecutor’s office, according to court documents.
Reached for comment Tuesday evening (Dec. 16), Fuscarino referred questions to his attorney, Mitchell Ansell of Ansell, Grimm and Aaron in Ocean Township. However, Fuscarino posted the following statement Wednesday morning on his Facebook page:
“Yesterday (Dec. 16) I resigned from Garden State Equality to ensure that the organization’s work is not impacted by a private family matter.
“While my loved ones & I have been working through this moment together with care and love, the press has turned a deeply personal situation into a public headline.
“Everyone involved is safe & navigating this situation responsibly. Out of respect – not for me, but for my family – I ask that this be seen for what it is: a private family moment, not a public spectacle.”
GSE had put Fuscarino on leave and named Brielle Winslow-Majette the acting executive director. Winslow-Majette, who had been the deputy director, did not respond to requests for comment.
However, the organization said in a statement posted on its website that “Garden State Equality takes allegations against our staff seriously and we oppose violence of any kind. When we learned about the charge against Mr. Fuscarino, we immediately placed him on leave. We respect the courts and will allow that process to be handled by them. We will continue our important work with our acting Executive Director.”
Ansell’s office released the following statement: “Christian Fuscarino has dedicated his life to fighting for equality for all of New Jersey’s residents. On November 9th a difficult personal family moment occurred. Unfortunately, this private moment has now become public. Christian and his family are working through the proper channels to address this. For anyone concerned, please know that everyone is safe and no physical harm was caused. Consistent with the values he has brought to every cause he ever championed, Christian remains focused on doing the right thing and becoming a better person.
“As Christian’s family navigates this situation, they ask for privacy and express their love and support for him.”
The GSE Holiday Party that was scheduled for Wednesday Dec. 18 has been cancelled as the organization reacts and regroups.
