Assemblyman Sean Kean (R-Wall) is facing foreclosure on his Wall Township home and a six-figure federal tax lien, according to court filings.
A complaint filed in Superior Court by Freedom Mortgage Corporation alleges that Kean defaulted on a $732,600 mortgage tied to their home. The lender claims he failed to make his $3,341 monthly payment beginning October 1, 2025, and has not brought the loan current since, triggering a default and acceleration of the full balance.
The foreclosure action, filed on February 26, seeks to bar Kean and other named defendants from reclaiming the property and to force a sheriff’s sale to satisfy the debt.
In addition to the mortgage dispute, the Internal Revenue Service filed a federal tax lien against Kean and his wife for $106,162 in January. The amount involves unpaid taxes for 2021, 2023, and 2024.
Court filings also show that multiple subordinate liens from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development encumber Kean’s home. They include a partial-claim mortgage of nearly $60,000 and two additional subordinate mortgages totaling more than $63,000. HUD loans are typically used in federal loss-mitigation programs to help borrowers cure earlier delinquencies by advancing funds to bring loans current.
Court filings show some mounting financial pressure for the veteran lawmaker over the past several years. Kean’s unresolved federal obligations make the IRS and HUD parties to the lawsuit.
In foreclosure proceedings, lien priority determines who gets paid first if the property is sold. The primary mortgage holder — in this case, Freedom Mortgage — would be first in line to recover what it is owed. Lesser lienholders, including the IRS and HUD, would be paid only if sufficient funds remain after the senior debt is satisfied.
Kean initially declined to comment on Thursday, but on Friday issued a statement: “This is a humbling reminder that financial hardship can happen to anyone. I take full responsibility for the challenges I am facing, and my wife and I are working diligently to correct this issue. I will have my mortgage payments up to date next week and have a plan to satisfy my tax obligations within the next couple of weeks. I apologize for any embarrassment, and I thank everyone who has supported me and my family during this difficult time for their understanding and compassion.”
Kean’s last personal financial disclosure, filed in May 2025, does not indicate any liabilities beyond his mortgage. Wall Township records reflect that his property taxes are up to date. He bought his Monmouth County home for $535,000 in 2010, and Zillow estimates its current value at $1.235 million.
Naser Selmanovic, the attorney representing the mortgage company, declined to comment.
Kean, 62, was elected to the Assembly in 2002 following the death of Thomas S. Smith (R-Asbury Park). He was elected to the State Senate in 2007 after Joseph Palaia (R-Ocean Township) retired; he returned to the Assembly four years later after legislative redistricting relocated his hometown of Wall into the 30th district, where Robert Singer (R-Lakewood) held the Senate seat.
Kean easily won re-election in 2023 and 2025, when voters split their tickets and elected him and Democrat Avi Schnall (D-Lakewood).
This story was updated on March 22 at 4:41 PM with comment from Kean.