Jackson township to pay for legal services for ex-officials subpoenaed by feds
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy being thanked for 'all he has done' by Jackson Township Mayor Michael Reina.

Jackson Township to pay for legal services for ex-officials subpoenaed by feds

by
July 11, 2021
···
Former township officials will receive free legal services paid for by the taxpayers of Jackson Township in the town's Department of Justice civil rights lawsuit.

JACKSON TOWNSHIP, NJ – Federal authorities have subpoenaed personal emails, phone records, and documents of former elected officials involved in the federal civil rights case filed against the township. Now, the township will vote on Tuesday whether or not the taxpayer should pay for those legal fees.

We broke this story last month: Jackson Township officials subpoenaed by Department of Justice agents.

Last month, federal authorities issued subpoenas for personal emails, texts, and other documents related to the U.S. Department of Justice’s ongoing federal civil rights lawsuit against the township. The lawsuit names several former and past elected officials and township employees with Mayor Michael Reina being the center of the investigation.

Reina, along with former Councilmen Rob Nixon and Barry Calogero, who have since resigned their positions were issued subpoenas by the federal government along with Ken Bressi, who did not run for re-election in 2020.

The Jackson Township Council will vote on a measure that could provide those former employees with potentially millions of dollars in legal representation.

“Any former Township employee or official who requests legal representation as a result of discovery requests or Subpoenas issued in any matter in which the Township of Jackson is currently a litigant shall be provided appropriate counsel, to be determined by the Township, solely with respect to said discovery matters. Such representation shall be limited to the representation of said individual with respect to Subpoenas or other discovery requests received for such litigation currently pending,” an ordinance drafted by township Attorney Gregory P. McGuckin read.

“It is in the best interest of Jackson Township to ensure that its former officials are provided appropriate legal representation since they have been Subpoenaed based upon their prior role as officials of the Township and therefore the Township’s interests should be protected to the greatest extent possible,” McGuckin said.

McGuckin’s law firm will most likely be the firm paid out through this agreement for legal services.

The probe against Reina and the council is a civil matter, but FBI agents have also been interviewing some township residents with close ties to Reina since September regarding a possible developing criminal probe against certain township officials. FBI investigators have asked several residents, including staff members at Shore News Network about the actions and activities of Reina and other members of the council regarding commercial and residential developments in town. Agents have inquired about Reina’s relationships with builders and other professional building service contractors that do business in Jackson.

Phil Stilton
Phil Stilton Latest posts

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.

  1. New Jersey Dem Lawmakers Move to Expand Assault Rifle Ban As Court Rules Existing Law Unconstitutional
  2. FIFA Is Now Selling World Cup Grass Paid for by New Jersey Taxpayers
  3. Flood Watch, Severe Thunderstorm Risk, and Possible EF2 Tornado Threat Across New Jersey Today
  4. Canadian Wildfire Triggers Code Red Air Quality Alert in New Jersey: Officials Warn Everyone Is at Risk