A newly filed lawsuit accuses Howell Township officials of abusing their power to push discriminatory housing policies and even directing surveillance of a Jewish family�s home in an effort to force them out, according to court documents filed Friday in Monmouth County Superior Court.

One of the most striking claims involves a home on Michelle Boulevard, identified by Nadel as being �owned by Jews.� According to the complaint, Nadel pressed Howard to send a code enforcement officer to stake out the property on Friday nights, when he knew residents were hosting a Shabbos minyan.

If attendees stayed overnight, Nadel allegedly planned to classify it as �illegal occupancy� and issue summonses to force evictions. Howard refused, citing constitutional protections of religious practice and noting that similar tactics had already been deemed unlawful in neighboring Jackson.

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