Prosecutors in New Jersey have sparked controversy after refusing to bring criminal charges against five school board members who exchanged disturbing text messages about a fellow MAGA-supporting mother.
The Vile Text Messages
The scandal emerged when five Marlboro Board of Education members - vice president Chad Hyett, Scott Semaya, Lenny Thor, Mitesh Gandhi, and Nirav Kadakia - were exposed for allegedly writing disgusting text messages about Danielle Bellomo, a mother-of-three and board member. Their group chat was shockingly named 'ThisB**chNeedstoDie'.
During one school board meeting, one of the men was caught texting others about Bellomo's nipples, according to reports. The messages came to light after someone photographed Semaya typing during a July meeting, leading to his subsequent withdrawal from the board election race.
Prosecutor's Controversial Decision
Despite Marlboro Police preparing to press charges for terroristic threats, cyber harassment, conspiracy to do harm, and cyber harassment through a deep fake video, the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office declined to pursue the case.
Bellomo revealed the decision in a now-private Facebook post viewed by the New York Post. The prosecutor's office, led by Raymond Santiago, determined the offenses didn't reach an 'indictable' level under New Jersey law.
'To say the Prosecutor's Office 'decline(d) to move forward' in this matter is a mischaracterization,' a spokesperson told The Post. 'After a careful and thorough evaluation, we advised the Marlboro Police Department that, legally, there was insufficient evidence to constitute an indictable charge.'
Backlash and Consequences
The decision has been met with significant public backlash, with many expressing concern that it sets a dangerous precedent for online behaviour and threats.
'This is going to turn into a total freefall with what we're allowed to say,' one person commented under Bellomo's post. Another woman wrote: 'This is not surprising, unfortunately. Woman to woman... I am very glad that you're safe and hope the disgusting pigs that put you through this will stay under their rocks.'
Bellomo has accused the school board of failing to protect her and not taking appropriate action following the vile messages. She revealed she faced threats for months and believes there are more 'terrifying messages' in the chat she hasn't seen.
The mother is scheduled to appear in court next week to extend her protective order against Gandhi. Meanwhile, a vote to remove Hyett from the board proved unsuccessful.
Following an hours-long meeting, the board entered an executive session, which Bellomo did not attend. The recent November 4 election saw incumbents Michael Lilonsky and Valentina Mendez reelected to the board, alongside newcomer Kerry Ann Jankowski.
