Joe Fitzgerald Suspended From Middletown School Board Due To Criminal Charges

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Because criminal charges have been filed against Joe Fitzgerald, he is temporarily suspended from the Middletown Board of Education.

Fitzgerald will be unable to attend any Board of Education meetings until his criminal charges are resolved.

This was announced Tuesday by William Burns, the new lawyer for the Middletown school board.

Here is how a letter from Burns to the school board reads:

"The Middletown Township Board of Education was informed by the New Jersey Department of Education Office of Student Protection that criminal charges, including disqualifying crimes or offenses, have been filed against Board Member Joseph J. Fitzgerald. The Board, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, immediately moved to suspend him from all Board duties and designate him Persona Non Grata, effective Wednesday, July 2, 2025."

"The Board remains firmly committed to upholding the safety and well-being of our students, staff and community. The Board, together with legal counsel, will continue to review this matter carefully. Given the seriousness of the situation and to respect the ongoing legal proceedings, no further information or comment will be provided at this time."

Fitzgerald's first court hearing will be Wednesday. He has been held at the Monmouth County jail since last Monday, June 30, when he was first arrested by Middletown Police and charged with six illegal weapons charges. Fitzgerald was headed to someone's home that evening to have an argument with that person, allege Middletown Police.

Middletown BOE Member Charged With Gun Crimes Was Headed To Argue With Another Person, Police Say (Monday)

Middletown School Board Member Fitzgerald Will Have First Court Hearing Wednesday (Monday)

Middletown School Board Member Joe Fitzgerald Arrested On Illegal Gun Charges (July 1)