Atlantic City Mayor Acquitted of All Charges, Prosecutor Files Civil Claim

Mayor Marty Small beats child abuse and other charges, but prosecutor continues legal battle

Mar. 21, 2026 at 2:34pm

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After being criminally charged with child abuse, endangerment, assault, and other offenses over a two-year period, Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small was overwhelmingly acquitted by a jury on all counts. However, the Atlantic County Prosecutor, Will Reynolds, has now filed a civil tort claim against Small, the city, and the school board, raising questions about the prosecutor's motives.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between Mayor Small and Prosecutor Reynolds, with Small accusing Reynolds of continuing a "pattern of attack" even after losing the high-profile criminal case. The civil claim filed by the prosecutor raises concerns about the impartiality of the justice system and whether Small is being unfairly targeted.

The details

Mayor Small was charged with a litany of offenses, including 2nd degree endangering the welfare of a child, 3rd degree aggravated assault, 3rd degree terroristic threats, simple assault, and witness tampering. After a multi-year legal battle, Small was fully acquitted by a jury. However, Prosecutor Reynolds has now filed a civil tort claim against Small, the City of Atlantic City, the Atlantic City Board of Education, and numerous staff members of these agencies, further escalating the conflict between the two officials.

  • Mayor Small was criminally charged over a two-year period starting in 2024.
  • Small was acquitted of all charges in early 2026.
  • On March 19, 2026, Prosecutor Reynolds filed the civil tort claim against Small and other entities.

The players

Marty Small

The Mayor of Atlantic City, New Jersey who was acquitted of child abuse and other criminal charges after a multi-year legal battle.

Will Reynolds

The Atlantic County Prosecutor who brought the criminal charges against Mayor Small and has now filed a civil tort claim against Small, the city, and the school board.

Ed Jacobs

Mayor Small's attorney, who described the prosecutor's civil claim as the "worst legal document he has ever seen" in his 50 years of practicing law.

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What they’re saying

“What a punk. This is unreal and an absolute joke. The prosecutor is the definition of if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. He's been dealing with criticism for 90 days, meanwhile through him we were paraded all over the country for two years for false allegations.”

— Marty Small, Mayor of Atlantic City

“My attorney, Ed Jacobs, who is a legendary lawyer told me in his 50 years of practicing law, this is the worst legal document he has ever seen, and in that alone he should be removed as prosecutor.”

— Marty Small, Mayor of Atlantic City

What’s next

The judge will need to decide whether to allow Prosecutor Reynolds' civil tort claim to move forward, which could further prolong the legal battle between Small and the prosecutor's office.

The takeaway

This case raises serious questions about the impartiality of the justice system and whether Mayor Small is being unfairly targeted by the prosecutor's office, even after being fully acquitted of the criminal charges. It highlights the ongoing tensions between elected officials and the prosecutors tasked with upholding the law.