Incoming West Orange School Principal Resigns After DUI Accusation

WEST ORANGE, NJ — A principal who was set to take the reins at Liberty Middle School in West Orange this month has officially resigned, weeks after being accused of driving under the influence.

The West Orange Board of Education unanimously approved the resignation of Aretha Dooley-Malloy during their meeting on Monday. Her resignation became effective Tuesday.

Dooley-Malloy, 51, was arrested Aug. 30 after she crashed and caused property damage while returning home from a fundraiser for mayoral candidate Bill Rutherford at Rock Springs Golf Club, NJ.com previously reported. Nobody was injured in the crash.

Dooley-Malloy has been charged with driving under the influence in addition to other offenses, including driving an unregistered car and failure to consent to a breathalyzer, News 12 New Jersey reported.

Rutherford acknowledged the crash took place after his fundraising event – at which Dooley-Malloy was a guest – but has maintained in several social media posts that he did not interfere with any police investigation.

“When the principal was arrested, I went to the police station as a show of support and to give her a ride home, which ultimately, several hours later, I did,” Rutherford wrote.

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