A top Jackson Township official appears to be entangled in a shocking display of bias against Orthodox Jews, raising serious legal concerns about potential violations of a federal consent order.

Documents obtained by Lakewood Alerts, a YWN subsidiary, reveal that Andrew Cheney, Jackson’s Chief of Code Enforcement, lodged a complaint with the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance against Jackson Council President Jennifer Kuhn, accusing her of real estate “steering.” However, Cheney’s allegations—and their eerie similarity to anti-Orthodox rhetoric promoted by the group Jackson Strong—suggest a far more troubling picture: A township official may have weaponized his position to advance an anti-Orthodox agenda.

Cheney’s February 26, 2025, letter details an incident involving real estate outreach regarding a landlocked property on White Road in Jackson. The property had no direct access, and adjacent property owners were contacted to gauge their interest in selling. This is a standard practice in real estate, particularly when dealing with landlocked parcels. Two property owners responded to the outreach: one at 18 Kevin Court and another at 130 White Road. As a result, 130 White Road was listed for sale along with 134 White Road for a combined $7,400,000.

Despite the routine nature of the transaction, Cheney’s complaint focuses on the fact that two of the property owners on Kevin Court were, as he describes, the last remaining “non-community” residents. The letter suggests that these homeowners were being pressured to sell to members of the Orthodox Jewish community and claims that such actions could violate the Fair Housing Act. However, Cheney provides no concrete evidence to support this claim, relying instead on the account of a single resident who allegedly felt “targeted.”

The full complaint can be read by clicking here. 

The complaint raises serious questions about how a government official determines the religious composition of a neighborhood – is Cheney going around counting how many Jews live on a block? – and whether it is appropriate for township authorities to intervene in private real estate matters based on such assumptions.

The timing and content of Cheney’s letter are particularly concerning given Jackson’s long history of legal trouble over discrimination against Orthodox Jews. Under a consent order with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Jackson Township agreed to end discriminatory practices after years of litigation. Cheney’s letter, which appears to be driven by concerns over Orthodox Jewish property purchases, could put the township in direct violation of that agreement.

Making matters even more troubling is the revelation that Cheney’s letter closely mirrors a post from Jackson Strong, an activist group that was specifically named in the DOJ’s lawsuit against Jackson. The Jackson Strong post accused Kuhn of steering, using nearly identical language and details as Cheney’s complaint. Both documents cite the same real estate transaction, express concern about Orthodox Jews moving into the area, and even include the same photo as Cheney’s complaint. This raises serious concerns about whether Cheney’s complaint was independently filed or if it was influenced by a group known for opposing Orthodox Jewish growth in Jackson.

If a Jackson official is using township resources to target Orthodox Jewish homebuyers or sellers, it could have significant legal ramifications. The DOJ’s consent order strictly prohibits township officials from engaging in discrimination, and any indication that a public official is acting with bias could reopen federal scrutiny. Additionally, if it is determined that Cheney used taxpayer-funded time to submit a complaint based on an activist group’s rhetoric, it could lead to further legal challenges against the township.

The implications of Cheney’s actions extend beyond this single complaint. If a Jackson official is willing to involve himself in private real estate transactions in this manner, it sets a dangerous precedent. Any Jewish homeowner who receives a code enforcement citation may now has legal grounds to argue that Jackson’s enforcement is systematically biased. This could expose the township to lawsuits, potentially placing Jackson in an even worse legal position than before the DOJ’s intervention.

Lakewood Alerts reached out to Jackson’s only Orthodox Jewish Councilman, Mordy Burnstein, for comment. Burnstein confirmed that he is aware of the situation but declined to comment publicly, citing the potential for legal action against the township.

Lakewood Alerts will be reaching out to additional Jackson Township officials for comment.