Leader of New Jersey LGBTQ activist group charged with assaulting his foster child

The head of New Jersey’s largest LGBTQ rights organization has resigned after being charged with allegedly assaulting his foster child son.

The New York Post reported that Christian Fuscarino, who has led Garden State Equality since 2016 and maintains close ties to Democratic officials, including Gov. Phil Murphy and Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill, was charged last month with child endangerment and simple assault.

According to court records obtained by NJ.com, the charges stem from an incident captured on home security camera footage on Nov. 9 at a residence in Neptune City. Fuscarino, 35, is accused of pulling a child identified in court documents as a “resource child” out of bed and striking him repeatedly across the face with an open hand. The affidavit also alleges that Fuscarino shoved the child into a wall multiple times before striking him again.

According to court documents obtained by the outlet, another individual inside the home reported the alleged abuse. After the incident, a caretaker brought the child to the Monmouth County Child Advocacy Center, which specializes in investigating allegations of child abuse. The New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency later obtained the video footage and notified the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office on Nov. 20. Fuscarino was arrested the following day by Neptune City police.

Garden State Equality placed Fuscarino on leave immediately after learning of the charges. Fuscarino subsequently resigned from his position. In a statement released Wednesday, he described the incident as a “private family matter” and said his departure was intended to protect the organization from disruption. “I resigned from Garden State Equality to ensure that the organization’s work is not impacted by a private family matter,” Fuscarino said. “While my loved ones and 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 and navigating this situation responsibly,” he added. “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.” Fuscarino’s attorney, Mitchell Ansell, called the incident a “difficult personal family moment.”

“Unfortunately, this private moment has now become public,” Ansell told NJ.com. “For anyone concerned, please know that everyone is safe and no physical harm was caused.”

Garden State Equality, based in Asbury Park, is the state’s most prominent LGBTQ advocacy organization and has played a key role in advancing LGBTQ policy initiatives. Fuscarino had served as its executive director for nearly a decade.