A longtime Jackson Township employee says enforcement actions against a local official triggered reprisals, discipline, and threats to his job.
Jackson, NJ – A Jackson Township code enforcement officer has filed suit against the township, former Mayor Michael Reina, and Council President-turned-interim Mayor Jennifer Kuhn, alleging he faced retaliation after issuing code violations against Kuhn’s properties and business activity. The complaint, filed in Ocean County Superior Court, claims David Visconi was targeted with harassment, reprimands, administrative leave, and threats to eliminate his position after carrying out his enforcement duties.
Visconi, a civil service employee who has worked for Jackson Township since 2016, alleges the retaliation began after he cited Kuhn for rental registration and other ordinance violations. The suit says the pattern escalated in 2025 as Kuhn rose in township leadership, first as a council member and later as interim mayor following Reina’s resignation on Oct. 3, 2025.
Key Points
- Jackson code officer alleges retaliation after citing Jennifer Kuhn for ordinance violations
- Lawsuit names Jackson Township, Michael Reina, and Kuhn in individual and official capacities
- Complaint asserts CEPA, NJLAD, civil rights, and public policy claims over discipline and threats
The complaint says Visconi discovered in 2022 that Kuhn was an unregistered landlord tied to a property on Willow Drive and issued two notices of violation, followed by two summonses when she did not comply. According to the filing, Kuhn later pleaded guilty and paid fines on June 23, 2022. The suit says Visconi again cited Kuhn on Feb. 18, 2025, for failing to renew a landlord registration on the same property, and that additional code enforcement actions followed involving a real estate sign on White Road and fence damage.
Visconi claims Kuhn’s response was personal and punitive.
“After Kuhn became aware that Plaintiff had taken enforcement action against her, she engaged in retaliatory conduct,” the complaint states, alleging false or disparaging statements, interference with his duties, pressure on administrators to discipline him, and adverse employment actions.
Complaint details stalking allegation, leave, and reprimand
Among the events described in the lawsuit is a March 5, 2025 allegation by Kuhn that Visconi had parked a work vehicle near her home on Redwood Road and was stalking her. The complaint says Kuhn reported the matter to police and filed a police report, but that it was later determined the vehicle was not Visconi’s.
Even so, the suit alleges he was placed on administrative leave.
The filing also claims that in March 2025, township officials barred code enforcement employees from taking township vehicles home while other municipal employees kept that benefit. Visconi says that after additional enforcement activity against Kuhn in May and June, she lodged more complaints against him and other code officers, prompting an outside investigation by the law firm Citta, Holzapfel & Zabarsky.
The suit says tensions spilled into public meetings. Visconi alleges Kuhn publicly attacked the Code Enforcement Department at a council meeting and cited inaccurate productivity figures about him and department leadership. He later received a written reprimand dated Aug. 14, 2025 for conduct at an Aug. 12 council meeting, with the township warning that further incidents could lead to suspension or termination, according to the complaint.
Multiple legal claims target township and officials
The lawsuit asserts seven counts, including alleged violations of the New Jersey Conscientious Employee Protection Act, the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination, the New Jersey Civil Rights Act, and a Pierce public policy claim. Visconi also alleges aiding and abetting by individual defendants, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and constructive discharge or threat of termination.
The complaint alleges Kuhn repeatedly threatened reductions to the Code Enforcement Department budget and elimination of Visconi’s position. It also claims township leadership failed to meaningfully investigate his complaints and allowed the alleged retaliation to continue.
Visconi seeks compensatory damages, punitive damages where allowed, attorney’s fees, costs, and other relief. The case was filed as a jury demand action in Ocean County and classified as a Law Against Discrimination matter.
