Conflict Delays Atlantic City, NJ Council ‘Violent Threats’ Case

Margate City Municipal Judge John H. Rosenberger halted today’s, Monday, February 26, 2024 court case between Atlantic City Councilwoman LaToya Dunston versus Craig Newsome.

Dunston filed charges against Newsome for allegedly making violent threats against her on Primary Election Day, Tuesday, June 6, 2023.

Judge Rosenberger halted today’s proceeding when a question was raised if Newsome’s attorney, Damon Tyner had a conflict of interest because he has a contract to do legal work for City of Atlantic City.

Tyner acknowledged to Judge Rosenberger that he does have a conflict of interest. That immediately ended today’s court hearing … which has been rescheduled for Monday, March 25, 2024.

Unrelated, Tyner was recently named the new municipal prosecutor in Vineland City.

Tyner is also a former Atlantic County Prosecutor, New Jersey Superior Court Judge and New Jersey Administrative Law Judge.

Tyner certainly should have known that he has a direct conflict that would disqualify him from being able to represent Newsome in a case versus a member of the Atlantic City Council.

The case is being heard in a Margate City conflict court, because Dunston is an elected official from the City of Atlantic City and Newsome is an employee in the so-called anti-violence program.

It raises questions as to why/how New Jersey Superior Court Judge Michael Blee allowed attorney Anthony Antonelli to represent Dunston’s opponent Viana Bailey in the election challenge case for the 2nd Ward Atlantic City Council race.

According to Dunston, Antonelli also has a legal contract with the City of Atlantic City.

Dunston wanted Antonelli replaced. It didn’t happen. It appears that it should have.

Blee will be announcing his decision regarding whether he will reopen this certified city council election in the very near future.

Newsome served then and still serves now as assistant director of the anti-violence program for the City of Atlantic City.

Newsome was hired at the direct recommendation of Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small, who he is closely aligned with.

Newsome has allegedly made repeated violent threats towards Dunston and her husband.

Below, is an actual photo (taken by Dunston) of Newsome yelling at her on Election Day.

Dunston also captured the incident on video as well.

On Primary Election Day 2023, Atlantic City Councilwoman LaToya Dunston was working on her get out the vote program... when along rolls up a white SUV, with Newsome riding in the front passenger seat and hanging outside of the window.

Dunston video recorded her encounter with Newsome and told us that she is 1,000 percent certain that it is Newsome (pictured here) who made a series of violent threats.

We have been advised that Newsome also goes by the alias Angel "Rock" Newbomb. You can’t make this stuff up.

La Toya Dunston photo.

Here is what Newsome said to Dunston in his profane tirade:

"I'm gonna Fuc* your husband up," said Newsome.

"Get that on tape. "I'm gonna Fuc* your husband up.

How do you like that?"

"I'm gonna Fuc* him up. OK?

"Keep talking ... I'm gonna Fuc* your husband up ... that's a fact."

Dunston asked Newsome, "Is that a threat?"

Newsome responded, "That is a promise."

Dunston will be filing official charges against Newsome regarding this incident.

This is not the first violent encounter with personnel directly involved with Small's anti-violence program.

On November 25, 2022, we reported about this violent stabbing incident:

Since a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was formally approved on February 11, 2021, the concept of a City of Atlantic City anti-violence program has been the subject of much criticism.

The "initiative is designed to reduce the City's violent crime by training local and rehabilitated ex-offenders to prevent incidents of violent crime in the City through preventative intervention and/or mediation."

Some agree with a program like this. Some don't.

We have obtained a copy of the MOU and we're including it below in its entirety so that you have the opportunity to see the program as it was intended on paper.

Now, following a violent melee, which directly involved a member of Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small's so-called "anti-violence team" being criminally charged ... the entire program was called into question.

Word of Small team member Kamal Allen's participation in the violent stabbing incident quickly reverberated throughout Atlantic City.

That makes the criminal charges against Allen beyond ironic and the source of significant embarrassment for Small.

The Atlantic City Police Department reported the following during the previous incident:

WANTED: Kamal Allen, 34, of Bridgeton, New Jersey.

CHARGES: Aggravated assault (2 counts), possession of a weapon (2 counts), and possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose (2 counts).

Despite the serious nature of these charges, Small failed to make any changes whatsoever.

Here is a copy of the Memorandum of Understanding:

This is a very serious matter involving direct threats of physical violence made to a duly elected member (and her husband) of the legislative branch of the City of Atlantic City government.

SOURCE: La Toya Dunston.