Code enforcement officer alleges harassment, discipline after citing council president, now mayor, Jennifer L. Kuhn
Jackson Township, NJ – A lawsuit filed in Ocean County Superior Court lays out a detailed series of allegations by a longtime Jackson Township code enforcement officer who claims he was targeted, disciplined, and harassed after enforcing local ordinances against a sitting elected official.
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The complaint, filed by David Visconi, names the Township of Jackson, former Mayor Michael Reina, and current Mayor Jennifer Kuhn as defendants. Visconi, a civil service employee who has worked for the township since 2016, alleges a pattern of retaliation that began after he issued violations against Kuhn for property-related offenses. Kuhn, a real estate broker and landord, according to the lawsuit failed to register her property as a rental property.
Ironically, Kuhn is now leading the effort to crackdown on delinquent landlords in Jackson.
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Visconi, a former police officer with decades of service and a long tenure in the Air National Guard, claims he was performing his duties appropriately when the conflict began. The lawsuit frames the case as a breakdown between enforcement of municipal law and political authority.
Enforcement actions against elected official at center of dispute
Key Points
- Lawsuit alleges retaliation after code enforcement officer cited Mayor Jennifer Kuhn
- Claims include harassment, false accusations, discipline, and hostile work environment
- Case filed under multiple state laws including whistleblower protections and civil rights
According to the complaint, the beef traces back to 2022, when Visconi discovered that Kuhn, then a private citizen, was operating as an unregistered landlord and had failed to obtain required rental certifications for a property on Willow Drive.
Visconi issued notices of violation followed by summonses. Court records show Kuhn ultimately pleaded guilty and paid fines related to those violations in June 2022.
The situation resurfaced in February 2025, when Visconi again cited Kuhn—by then a member of the township council—for failing to renew her landlord registration for the same property. The case was transferred to another municipal court due to her elected position. That matter was later taken to court in Lakewood Township and dismissed.
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From that point forward, the lawsuit alleges, tensions escalated into what Visconi describes as a sustained campaign of retaliation.
Allegations of retaliation, false claims, and discipline
The complaint outlines a series of incidents that Visconi claims were intended to damage his career and create a hostile work environment.
One of the most serious allegations involves an accusation by Kuhn that Visconi had been parked outside her home and was “stalking” her. The claim led to a police report and Visconi being placed on administrative leave. The lawsuit states the allegation was later determined to be unfounded and that Visconi was not the individual involved.
Despite that, Visconi alleges disciplinary actions continued.
The complaint also details policy changes that he claims disproportionately affected him and his department. In March 2025, the township council restricted code enforcement officers from taking home their work vehicles, a benefit still allowed for other municipal employees.
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Visconi further alleges that Kuhn made repeated complaints against him and other officers, prompting an internal investigation by an outside law firm. During that period, he claims interactions with Kuhn became increasingly hostile, including an incident where she accused him of making an obscene gesture—an allegation he denies and says could not be substantiated.
Public confrontations and workplace conflict
The dispute also spilled into public settings, including township council meetings.
According to the complaint, Kuhn criticized the code enforcement department during a public meeting, presenting what Visconi claims were inaccurate performance figures. He later received a formal reprimand for alleged unprofessional conduct tied to that meeting, along with warnings of potential suspension or termination.
Visconi filed a union grievance challenging the discipline.
The lawsuit alleges that Kuhn continued to threaten elimination of his position and pushed for budget cuts affecting the code enforcement department.
It also claims she bypassed proper channels of government by directly contacting department employees, actions the complaint says violate the Faulkner Act, which governs the township’s form of government.
Broader claims of harassment and legal violations
Beyond individual incidents, the complaint alleges a broader “pattern and practice” of harassment, including increased scrutiny, altered job duties, and reputational harm.
Visconi claims township officials failed to intervene despite being aware of the alleged conduct.
The lawsuit includes multiple legal claims:
- Violation of the New Jersey Conscientious Employee Protection Act (whistleblower law)
- Retaliation under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination
- Violation of public policy
- Civil rights violations under state law
- Aiding and abetting by individual officials
- Breach of good faith and fair dealing
- Constructive discharge and threats of termination
The complaint alleges that the actions caused emotional distress, reputational damage, and financial harm.
Central legal question
At the core of the case is whether Visconi was retaliated against for performing his official duties—specifically, enforcing local ordinances against a political figure—or whether the township’s actions were justified responses to workplace conduct.
The lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages, as well as legal fees and other relief.
The case remains pending in Ocean County Superior Court, where a jury trial has been requested.
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