FREEHOLD, N.J. – Monmouth County Republican officials are under scrutiny after reports surfaced that county funds were awarded to Garden State Equality (GSE), New Jersey’s largest LGBTQ+ advocacy organization, which is now reeling from a leadership scandal following the arrest of its former executive director.
The backlash is coming from within the party.
Public records confirm that Monmouth County allocated $175,000 to GSE in 2022 through a community partnership grant program. The funding, intended for public education and outreach initiatives, has drawn criticism from within the party after revelations that GSE’s longtime executive director, Christian Fuscarino, was arrested in November 2025 on charges of child endangerment and assault.
He resigned shortly after that arrest became public.
The controversy intensified after the group Young NJ Republicans publicly condemned County Sheriff Shaun Golden and County Clerk Christine Hanlon for their past support of the grant.
“Hanlon standing by Fuscarino should make her disqualified for GOP chair,” the organization wrote on social media.
Hanlon was elected as the New Jersey GOP chairperson Monday night.
GSE announced in December that it had placed Fuscarino on leave immediately after the allegations surfaced, appointed transgendered Deputy Director Brielle Winslow-Majette as acting executive director, and commissioned an independent operational review by Lowenstein Sandler LLP, led by former state comptroller Matt Boxer.
Despite the leadership upheaval, Garden State Equality has continued its advocacy work, celebrating legislative progress on expanding access to HIV prevention medication and advancing LGBTQ+ family support initiatives.
The organization has not been accused of any wrongdoing related to Fuscarino’s criminal case, but the arrest has renewed partisan debate over the county’s decision to fund politically active nonprofits.
Critics have questioned whether taxpayer dollars should have been directed to an organization with clear political ties, noting that GSE has endorsed high-profile Democrats, including Governor Phil Murphy and incoming Governor Mikie Sherrill.
County officials have not yet publicly commented on whether future funding for GSE will be considered.
