Pemberton Mayor Matthew Bianchini attempted to violently confront a resident during a public meeting, reportedly saying, “I’m going fucking to get you,” but authorities have not filed criminal charges against the Republican, who faces reelection this year.
Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office spokesperson Joel Bewley said he would have to find out whether any investigation or charges may result after the Pemberton Township Council meeting descended into chaos on Oct. 21 when Republican Mayor Matthew Bianchini lunged at a vocal critic seated in the audience.
The altercation occurred during a public employment hearing for Ken Gerber, a former township director of Community Development who was fired by Bianchini two weeks earlier.
According to video footage of the incident and witness accounts, tensions flared after an exchange between the audience and the dais.
Bianchini left the administration desk and moved aggressively toward resident Michael Sawka, shouting threats before being physically restrained by Gerber, other attendees, and Councilman Perry Doyle, a retired township police officer.
Doyle escorted the mayor out of the chambers into an adjoining conference room. As he was being removed, Bianchini shouted toward Sawka, “I am getting you — I am fucking getting you!”
Sawka remained seated during the confrontation and later called for police to arrest the mayor, asserting that he had been threatened and assaulted.
“He just threatened me! That is on video! That is on audio,” Sawka said as police entered the room after the incident. “I want the police here to arrest him for that threat. That is assault!”
In subsequent interviews, Bianchini defended his actions, stating that he reacted after months of mounting harassment and alleging that comments and gestures were directed at his wife and daughter, who were seated in the audience.
Sawka denied making verbal comments to the mayor’s family, maintaining that he only waved his hand during the disturbance.
The meeting was temporarily paused before resuming to complete the agenda.
Republican Councilman Dan Dewey is running a write-in campaign for mayor as Bianchini also faces a challenge from Democrat Belinda Fontanez in the November 3 election.
Dewey is close friends with Gerber, a retired police chief in Burlington County who was hired as director of Community Development only a short time before he was placed on administrative leave on Oct. 8.
The meeting was called after Gerber was served with notice of the township’s “intent to dismiss” him, to appeal his termination.
Township officials and community members have since expressed mixed reactions to the unprecedented incident as calls for accountability and further review continue.
Bianchini was Council President when then-Mayor Jack K. Tompkins resigned from the position in December, due to incidents described as mayoral misconduct.
Bianchini said that Tompkins was accused of “sexual harassment, sexual discrimination, creating a toxic work environment [and] retaliatory actions against employees who speak up.”
Former township Chief Financial Officer Candice Pennewell, who was fired in late August, filed the latest in a series of lawsuits against the township on Oct. 8.
Pennewell was fired after a scammer purportedly tricked a Finance Office employee into wiring them a $195,660 payment intended for a legitimate contractor.
“The Township’s position is that Ms. Pennewell authorized the payment in question,” said Bianchini in a statement on the town’s website. “We strongly dispute her allegation that members of her former staff initiated the payment without her authorization.”
“Since becoming Mayor,” said Bianchini, “I have made accountability, transparency, professionalism, and responsible management central expectations of this administration.”
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