By: Meyer Wolfsheim

A shocking text-message scandal in Marlboro, New Jersey, targeting pro-Trump school board member Danielle Bellomo has sparked outrage after local prosecutors declined to pursue criminal charges, the New York Post reported. Police said they were prepared to bring serious charges, but the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office ruled the messages did not meet the threshold for indictable offenses.

Bellomo, a mother of three, was the target of a disturbing group chat labeled “This Bitch Needs to Die,” in which participants mocked and threatened her. At a public board meeting, one participant was caught texting: “Bellomo must be cold — her nips could cut glass right n,” according to the NY Post. The messages, which circulated widely on social media, created fear and outrage in the community.

In a Facebook post covered by the NY Post, Bellomo said police had been ready to move forward with charges, including terroristic threats, cyber harassment, conspiracy to do harm, and cyber harassment involving a deepfake video. “However, the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office ultimately chose not to pursue these charges,” she wrote, adding that she worries about her family’s safety.

The prosecutor’s office told the NY Post that the case was being mischaracterized. While the messages were “clearly disturbing and offensive,” officials said their jurisdiction is limited to indictable matters. Lesser offenses must be handled at the municipal level, meaning the conduct did not meet state-level criminal standards.

The scandal first emerged in September when photos, later reported by the NY Post, showed school board candidate Scott Semaya texting about Bellomo during a public meeting. The group chat allegedly included board vice president Chad Hyett, former candidate Nirav Kadakia, former teacher Lenny Thor, and Mitesh Gandhi, the husband of a current board member. The group’s vile messages quickly went public, sparking a wave of condemnation.

The fallout was immediate. Semaya dropped out of the school board race, as did his running mate, Melissa Goldberg. The NY Post reported that the controversy drew national attention, with Texas Sen. Ted Cruz calling the conduct “wrong. And evil.” Bellomo said the experience reminded her of the assassination attempt on conservative activist Charlie Kirk, warning it amplified her fear for her safety. “This same group of people had a lot of hatred toward me… it does create a fear for my life,” she said.

Residents voiced anger at a Marlboro Board of Education meeting, with Bellomo urging enforcement of the district’s civility policy, which could have barred the men from school property, according to the NY Post. Instead, the board postponed its next meeting, then hastily scheduled another session that Bellomo skipped, citing unresolved safety concerns.

Commenters on Bellomo’s social media echoed outrage. “I am very glad that you’re safe and hope the disgusting pigs that put you through this will stay under their rocks,” one wrote. Another warned the decision could open the door to more harassment: “Things are about to get wild.”