Jackson police chief’s settlement could exceed "six figures" after new dispute delays agreement

Jackson police chief’s settlement could exceed “six figures” after new dispute delays agreement

Posted by
1 min read
January 3, 2026

Jackson Township, NJ – The long-running legal battle between Jackson Township and Police Chief Matthew Kunz is not over, as a new dispute over the terms of his retirement settlement has pushed the payout well beyond its original six-figure estimate.

Councilman Mordechai Burnstein confirmed this week that unresolved details remain in the agreement, which was intended to end an 18-month feud between the township and its longtime police chief.

Burnstein said the parties are still finalizing financial terms, but sources familiar with the matter told Shore News Network that a township error may have violated a clause in the settlement related to the payout amount.

Initially reported as a six-figure settlement in the media, that figure could now be far higher, according to the source.

That alleged misstep, according to the report, could increase the total cost to taxpayers to more than $2 million — far exceeding the six-figure range previously estimated by NJ.com. That source told Shore News Network that the orginal settlement was for $1.7 million.

Those numbers could not be officially confirmed.

Chief Kunz, who has led the Jackson Township Police Department for more than 17 years, filed a lawsuit against the township in late 2024, claiming he was denied salary increases while subordinate officers received annual raises. The settlement was supposed to resolve the case and allow for Kunz’s retirement in 2026, with back pay and compensation for missed raises included.

“The town council passed a resolution authorizing the mayor and legal counsel to sign a settlement agreement that has been negotiated and agreed to by the parties that will lead to the eventual retirement of Chief Kunz in 2026,” Burnstein said when the deal was first announced. “I cannot discuss the details.”

Kunz has not commented publicly on the latest setback. Township officials declined to confirm whether the alleged error has delayed payment or reopened negotiations.

The disagreement comes after months of internal tension between the chief and township leaders, which had become one of Jackson’s most visible public disputes.

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.

Don't Miss

Exit mobile version