Pemberton Township Mayor Jack Tompkins has tendered his resignation amidst numerous allegations of impropriety and an insurance policy cutoff, stepping down as of December 31, 2025, just days before the New Year, multiple sources reported. According to FOX29, the Mayor faced allegations of sexual harassment and the creation of a toxic work environment, which prompted community calls for his resignation; the climate within the township government was exacerbated further by the cancellation of a widely anticipated summer festival.
As per a resignation letter obtained by the Pine Barrens Tribune, Tompkins cited personal circumstances for his abrupt departure and referred to his tenure as Mayor as an "honor," however his letter also hints at unmet goals some of which actions by the council and some employees he felt were not in the best interest of the township, leading to an incomplete legacy of mixed achievements and unresolved controversies. The Tribune also reported that Tompkins's resignation followed a decision by the Burlington County Joint Insurance Fund to cease providing him with Employment Practices and Public Officials Liability Insurance as of January 1, 2026, which had up until now covered over $850,000 in settlements from lawsuits against the Mayor and the municipality.
The tumult within Pemberton Township extended back to at least July, when Tompkins exited a council meeting amid calls for his resignation; since then, community relations remained strained due to litigation and Council President Matthew Bianchini's assertions of workplace improprieties, including accusations related to sexual harassment and retaliation, Bianchini revealed this information in a statement to CBS News Philadelphia. What remains uncertain is who will assume the mayoralty following Tompkins' exit, with his term originally set to conclude at the end of 2026 and no immediate successor named at the time of his resignation.
Amid the fallout and prior community dissent, Tompkins concluded his service with the wish for a "smooth transition," though the township, now facing leadership upheaval, also has to contend with the reputational damage and financial impact of Tompkins' tenure which includes the settlement of lawsuits totaling nearly one million dollars, as reported by the Pine Barrens Tribune, though his letter of resignation maintained an aura of dignity in retreat, eschewing a comprehensive admission of the accusations leveled against him, moving forward into what he calls "retirement."
