Jackson Township’s political leadership is now attempting to rewrite the history of a police power struggle they themselves helped create — with friendly local media amplifying the revision while conveniently omitting those officials’ direct involvement.
Matthew Kunz has been employed by Jackson Township for more than 35 years and has served as Chief of Police since 2008.
For years, former Mayor Michael Reina repeatedly ignited controversy by refusing to accept a basic legal reality: the Chief of Police does not report to the mayor. That obsession with control set the stage for prolonged political and legal warfare inside Jackson’s government.
According to court filings, one major flashpoint occurred after Hurricane Sandy, when Reina allegedly directed and encouraged department heads to submit false, misleading, or inflated insurance claims. Kunz refused, believing the conduct would result in fraud, and instead reported the matter to the FBI.
At the FBI’s request, Kunz acted as a confidential informant, providing information he reasonably believed demonstrated criminal conduct by Reina. During the course of that investigation, the FBI disclosed to Reina that Kunz had been cooperating and had provided information regarding Reina’s actions.
Additional clashes followed:
• Reina allegedly attempted to pressure Kunz to force LCSW out of Jackson
• Reina erupted after his daughter’s vehicle was lawfully towed for expired registration, believing he could simply call the Chief to “make it go away” — an effort that failed
THE CANDIDO APPOINTMENT — AND WHO VOTED FOR IT
The conflict reached its peak in April 2024, when Reina secured votes from then-Council allies Jennifer Kuhn, Michael Burnstein, and Scott Sargent to appoint Joe Candido — then a sergeant — as Director of Public Safety.
At the time, Township officials insisted in glowing press releases that the appointment was purely administrative and would not undermine the Chief:
“Candido’s appointment will not replace the Chief of Police or eliminate the position….”
Those assurances did not survive scrutiny.
As first reported by FAA News in December 2024, Kunz filed suit alleging that Candido had seized total control of the Police Department, exercised absolute authority over daily operations, cut Kunz out of decision-making, overturned prior orders, and even took disciplinary action against the sitting Chief.
According to the court filing in New Jersey Superior Court (Ocean County) by attorney John P. Nulty Jr.:
By statute, Kunz possesses the right to administer and enforce rules and regulations applicable to the Department and to oversee and manage its day-to-day affairs… These statutory rights are designed to insulate chiefs of police from political pressure.
The filing further alleged that the Township unlawfully usurped Kunz’s authority and violated both statutory law and the common-law incompatibility doctrine, which bars an individual from holding two roles where one is subordinate to the other.
The lawsuit sought ouster of Candido, and also sought back wages and longevity pay the Township owed Kunz.
Throughout the litigation, Kuhn steadfastly supported Candido - parading him in all his glory at every Council meetings - and openly expressed dissatisfaction with Kunz.
Ultimately, as the news was broken very first here on FAA News, Judge Valter Must agreed with Kunz and ousted Candido, ruling the appointment unlawful.
Following the court’s ruling removing Candido from the position, the Township leaders have just settled the remainder of the lawsuit by agreeing to pay Kunz the back wages he is owed. For his part, Kunz has agreed to step down from the job effective February 1, 2026.
THE NARRATIVE SHIFTS - MEDIA RUNS COVER
And now comes the revisionism.
Both The Lakewood Scoop and Lakewood Alerts published statements from Kuhn and Burnstein claiming:
“The current administration inherited this situation.”
Inherited?
Do Kuhn and Burnstein expect the public to forget they voted to appoint Candido?
To forget that they publicly claimed his role would be harmless and administrative and not an attempt to eliminate Kunz?
To forget that they stood by Candido throughout the litigation, praised him at Council meetings, and openly criticized Kunz while the case was ongoing?
THE REAL QUESTION
Why are Township leaders now distancing themselves from actions they previously championed —
and why are local media outlets repeating that narrative without challenge?
The record hasn’t changed.
Only the story being told has.
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