Legal Warning Ignored in Jackson Township Dispute, Taxpayers Face $2 Million Settlement

A big Jackson Township Council meeting revelation has revived a costly legal issue that will cost the town over $2 million. After officials revealed that a former mayor was advised of legal risks but proceeded, a police department dispute has become a financial burden for local taxpayers.

Jackson Township was sued by then-Police Chief Matthew Kunz in late 2024. Kunz said then-Mayor Michael Reina undercut his authority by naming Police Lt. Joseph Candido as civilian public safety director. The lawsuit claimed the appointment affected police department employment, budgeting, and operations.

In a lengthy township council meeting this Monday, Council President Mordechai Burnstein revealed that Reina had a detailed legal document before the appointment. The June 2024 document by township counsel Gregory McGuckin cautioned that Kunz’s legal action would put the township at “substantial likelihood” of losing. The council did not receive the legal advice before confirming Candido’s appointment despite this warning.

Burnstein said council members were not informed of legal issues before the decision. He later said that all information could have changed the scenario. After the current administration waived attorney-client privilege, council leadership studied the memo.

Former Mayor Reina, who retired last September after 17 years and currently works as Ocean County bridge superintendent, did not comment on the disclosure.

Kunz claimed in his lawsuit that Candido overstepped his powers as public safety director. He claimed the move was part of a larger effort to limit his departmental power. The dispute strained police relations and municipal leadership.

Jackson Township settled with Kunz for $2 million last month. More than $247,000 in 2018 pay are included in the arrangement. Kunz retired late January.

At the same council meeting as the memo, township authorities swore in Mary Nelson as Jackson’s first female police chief. Leadership announced a new chapter for the department with the promotion or appointment of 10 officers.

On public comments, Candido addressed the council, changing the tone. He said numerous communities have public safety directors and that the uproar was mainly about his hiring while on leave as a lieutenant. He later remarked that if he had known about the legal notice, he might have declined the post.

Council members elected after 2024 were shocked to learn of the legal memo. Some believed that complete transparency before the vote could have changed the outcome and avoided years of litigation and a costly settlement.

Burnstein praised the council’s settlement of the lawsuit, saying the extended fight had badly damaged the police force. He said the department needed to resolve the issue to move forward and restore stability.

Candido said the argument took an emotional toll and hopes the department can heal and thrive.

The example shows how internal leadership decisions can affect local government finances. Jackson Township citizens saw the settlement as a reminder of the necessity of transparency, communication, and responsibility in municipal governance.

Now that new leadership has taken over and the case has been resolved, township officials say they want to rebuild confidence and prevent future problems.