Report: New Jersey Gov. Christie spent 300K in tax money on food and drinks
A new report contends New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie isn’t one for fiscal responsibility when it comes to spending taxpayer money on food and drinks.
Watchdog.org reported Monday that Christie spent $300,000 in tax dollars to buy food and alcohol during his five years as governor.
Christie — who has mulled a run for president — receives $95,000 per year from the state, in addition to his $175,000 salary, for the “allowance of funds not otherwise appropriated and used for official receptions on behalf of the state, the operation of an official residence, for other expenses.’’
From 2010 to 2011, Christie paid $82,594 over 58 occasions to the concession operator at MetLife Stadium, home of the New York Giants and Jets, Watchdog.org said. As Deadspin puts it:
“Even if you allow the possibility that Christie attended every single Giants and Jets home game over those two seasons, he still spent $2,581 per game. On food and drinks!’’
In 2012, the state Republican party repaid Christie’s concession tab to the state. Christie has not used public money for food or drink at MetLife since, though New Jersey’s governors typically get free use of luxury boxes at the publicly-owned stadium.
According to the report, Christie also spent $102,495 in public money on food and alcohol at retail stores.
“It’s not clear from records whether the goods stocked the pantries and filled the refrigerators at Drumthwacket, the governor’s official mansion in Princeton, or the Mendham house where Christie and his family live.’’
…
Christie did most of his serious food shopping at Wegmans Food Markets, where he spent $76,373 during 53 shopping runs. He patronized ShopRite supermarkets 51 times for $11,971 in purchases – plus another $6,536 in seven visits to ShopRite’s liquor stores.’’
New Jersey state legislators have introduced a bill that would force Christie to disclose receipts or to describe the exact items he purchased.
There were no expense allowance records available for the previous New Jersey governor, Jon Corzine.
Read Watchdog.org’s full report here.
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